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Tanzania uranium project held up till Australian company Mantra pays taxes

Tanzania: Uranium Project Licence Shelved Till Tax Bill Paid, Beyond Nuclear 12 Aug 12,  Dodoma – A SPECIAL mining licence to allow Russian firm, Uranium One start mining at Mkuju River in the Selous Game Reserve buffer zone, will not be issued until Australian Mantra Resources pay over 180 million US dollars (approx. 292.12bn/-) in taxes, the Parliament was told.

 Mantra Resources sold majority of its shares to Atomredmetzoloto (ARMZ) of Russia for 980 million US dollars (approx. 1.54trn/-) last year, according to Kigoma North lawmaker, Zitto Kabwe.
Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo, made the remarks while responding to a main question from Mkoani MP, Ali Khamis Seif (CUF), who wanted to know the government’s benefit from the Mkuju uranium mining project.
Prof Muhongo said his ministry’s experts were meeting with Uranium One representatives and State Mining Corporation (Stamico) to discuss a number of issues, including the project’s shares, that would also involve the local communities in the mining area.
“I can assure you that the licence has not been issued and we are very careful with the current negotiations,” said Prof Muhongo. The minister pointed out that his team was shifting from the ‘business as usual’ practice to ensure that the nation and communities benefit from mining.
“We want to make sure the government gets its fair share of revenue including dividend. Local communities should not be forced to rely on generosity of mining companies. They have to benefit directly,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Kabwe sought the Speaker’s guidance to alert the minister that the Tanzania Revenue Authority was still pressing Mantra Resources to pay 20 per cent taxes after selling its majority stake to ARMZ last year.
“Let us avoid the mistakes we made that resulted in huge losses in the gold mining projects,” the fiery lawmaker who is also Deputy Leader of the official opposition in parliament said. Prof Muhongo said his ministry was in contact with its Malawian and Namibian counterparts who have ongoing uranium mining projects.
“Malawi has the only known uranium mining project in the region and as such, we are learning from their experience,” the minister noted.

August 13, 2012 Posted by | AFRICA, politics international, Uranium | Leave a comment

Diplomacy the way to go: Iran not close to making nuclear weapons

U.S. still believes Iran not on verge of nuclear weapon  Aug 9, 2012   (Reuters) – The United States still believes that Iran is not on the verge of having a nuclear weapon and that Tehran has not made a decision to pursue one, U.S. officials said on Thursday…..

a White House National Security Council spokesman disputed the Israeli reports, saying the U.S. intelligence assessment of Iran’s nuclear activities had not changed since intelligence officials delivered testimony to Congress on the issue earlier this year.

“We believe that there is time and space to continue to pursue a diplomatic path, backed by growing international pressure on the Iranian government,” the spokesman said. “We continue to assess that Iran is not on the verge of achieving a nuclear weapon.”…. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/09/us-israel-iran-usa-idUSBRE8781GS20120809

August 10, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

U.S. To Provide Access To Marshall Islands Nuclear Test Documents

Marshalls maintains demand for full disclosure of classified information By Giff Johnson SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, Aug. 8, 2012) – In response to a strong statement of concern from the Marshall Islands government about the lack of access to classified information about United States nuclear testing in this western Pacific nation more than 50 years ago, a top State Department official has promised to initiate a review of data available for public release.

“Some documents provided in the past were so heavily redacted as to make them unreadable,” said Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Island Affairs Kurt Campbell at a media conference after meeting with President Christopher Loeak in Majuro Thursday evening. “It is fair to ask the United States to see if we’ve provided the Marshall Islands with the information it needs to understand more fully (the nuclear test legacy).”…. http://pidp.org/pireport/2012/August/08-08-09.htm

August 10, 2012 Posted by | OCEANIA, politics international, USA | Leave a comment

Call for Russian accountability in nuclear power reactors sold to India

Bring Russia under N-liability clause: Activists  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bring-Russia-under-N-liability-clause-Activists/articleshow/15370086.cms  TNN | Aug 6, 2012,  CHENNAI: People’s Movement for Nuclear Energy (PMANE) on Sunday demanded that the Centre scrap the 2008 Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with Russia as it puts the onus on the Indian government and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) for any damage in the event of an accident occurring at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) site in Tamil Nadu.

PMANE convenor S P Udayakumar, in a letter to MPs from TN and other states, stated that the agreement in effect boiled down to the Russian government or their companies having no liability whatsoever for their technology and the equipment used at the site.

He said that under Article 13 of the IGA, the operator of the power plant units at the site would be fully responsible for any damage within and outside the Indian territory caused to any person and property. This simply allows the polluter to go scot free.

He said any blanket waiver to the foreign suppliers would make the Nuclear Liability Act a cruel joke. “Russians claim that the Kudankulam reactors are the best and the safest in the world. If that is so, why should they shy away from offering any liability for their technology and components, but keep insisting that the Indian operator, NPCIL, is responsible for all damages?” he asked.

PMANE’s reaction comes in the wake of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh questioning the department of atomic energy’s decision not to exercise its ‘right to recourse’ in the event of a nuclear accident in the up-coming units 3 and 4.

August 6, 2012 Posted by | India, politics international | Leave a comment

A new obstacle to Kudankulam nuclear plant

Kudankulam nuclear plant hits new hurdle, PM asks who will pay for mishap http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/pm-says-no-to-the-russians-in-the-kudankulam-project-250419  by Sunil Prabhu, Edited by Prasad Sanyal August 02, 2012 New Delhi: The Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu has run up against new hurdles. This time, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wants to know from the Department of Atomic Energy who will pay if there is a mishap at the power plant.

The PM, who is also the Minister for Atomic Energy, is questioning the department’s decision not to exercise the right to recourse – for units 3 and 4 of the project – in the event of a mishap at the plant. The plant is being built with Russian collaboration and the Russians have said they are keen that right to recourse should not apply to any part of this project. That would mean that the Russians will have no liability in case of an accident.

The PM has said that if such a waiver is granted to the Russian partners, other countries like the US and France, partnering India on such projects, will seek waiver too. Continue reading →

August 3, 2012 Posted by | India, politics international | Leave a comment

Smith rejects proposal for US carrier base ABC Radio AM By Naomi Woodley   August 02, 2012 Defence Minister Stephen Smith has flatly rejected a proposal to expand a naval base in Perth to accommodate US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier groups.

The idea for a $7 billion US carrier base on Australia’s Indian Ocean seaboard is one of many canvassed in a report commissioned by the US Defence Department from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies  think tank.

Mr Smith says while increased US access to the HMAS Stirling base is on the cards in the long term, American aircraft carriers will not be based in Australia. ”The report is an independent report to the United States government. It’s not a United States government document,” he said.

“We don’t have United States military bases in Australia and we are  not proposing to. What we have talked about in terms of either increased aerial access or naval access is precisely that – greater access to our facilities.” The West Australian Premier and Opposition Leader have also ruled out the aircraft carrier base idea………….
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-02/smith-rejects-us-base-proposal/4171086

August 2, 2012 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, politics international | Leave a comment

France stressing diplomacy in approach to Iran nuclear issue

Hollande highlights importance of dialogue about Iran nuclear issue Tehran Times, 13 July 12, TEHRAN – French President Francois Hollande has highlighted the importance of dialogue between Iran and the six major powers about the country’s nuclear issue.

Hollande made the remarks during a meeting with new Iranian ambassador to France, Ali Ahani, on Wednesday. He also said that France is closely monitoring the process of talks
between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) while respecting the Islamic Republic’s independence.   …..
http://www.tehrantimes.com/politics/99558-hollande-highlights-importance-of-dialogue-about-iran-nuclear-issue

July 14, 2012 Posted by | France, politics international | Leave a comment

Iran ready to negotiate on uranium enrichment

Iran May Consider Halt To 20% Uranium Enrichment, Press TV Says By Ladane Nasseri – Jul 7, 2012 http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-08/iran-may-consider-halt-to-20-uranium-enrichment-press-tv-says.html An Iranian parliament lawmaker said his country is willing to consider the temporary suspension of 20-percent uranium enrichment as part of a negotiated accord, state-run Press TV news channel reported.

In return the so-called P5+1 — U.S., U.K., France, China, Russia and Germany — must agree to meet the country’s needs for 20-percent enriched uranium, said Mohammad-Hassan Asferi, a member of the Parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, according to Press TV.

Iran would be willing to suspend its 20-percent enrichment activity for a specific period if western powers meet its enrichment needs during this time, Asferi said, adding that permanent suspension is “by no means acceptable.”

Iran would also expect sanctions to be lifted and the nuclear dossier to be pulled out of the UN Security Council and referred back to the International Atomic Energy Agency, he said, according to Press TV.

July 9, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international, Uranium | Leave a comment

the “Arab Spring” has pulled the plug on nuclear power for the Middle East

Arab Spring proves winter to nuclear ambitions Times Live, Sapa-dpa | 08 July, 2012 Along with lifetime presidencies, emergency laws, and personalised security forces, the Arab Spring uprisings of the past year have claimed another illustrious victim: nuclear energy.

“All the plans, all the agreements, all the studies; everything has stopped,” said Abdelmajid Mahjoub, director of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA), a regional atomic energy body affiliated with the Arab League. Continue reading →

July 9, 2012 Posted by | business and costs, MIDDLE EAST, politics international, Reference | Leave a comment

United States, Russia, China, France, UK refusing to sign ASEAN Weapons Free Zone treaty

Nuclear states shun ASEAN treaty Supalak Ganjanakhundee, The Nation, Phnom Penh July 9, 2012 Powers won’t sign weapon-free accord this week Nuclear weapons states will not sign the protocol of the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone treaty (SEANWFZ) at this week’s Asean meeting as many of them still have reservations, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said yesterday.

Nuclear powers including the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom were supposed to sign the protocol when their representatives attended the Asean ministerial meeting in Cambodia this week. However, many of them voiced reservations to the group at
short notice over their rights and sovereignties in zones defined as “nuclearweapons free”. Continue reading →

July 9, 2012 Posted by | ASIA, politics international, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Sign of discreet progress in Iran nuclear talks

 

 

Iran nuclear talks: a thin, faint chink of light,   by, 6 July 2012 guardian.co.uk Iranian negotiators have presented an uncompromising stance on paper but informally they hint a deal could still be done  Continue reading →

July 7, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

USA joining with China to develop thorium nuclear reactors

What’s not clear is what, exactly, the U.S. will get from the collaboration….

U.S. partners with China on new nuclear, By Mark Halper Smart Planet  June 26, 2012 E Pluribus Thorium? U.S. Assistant Energy Secretary Peter Lyons and Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Jiang Mianheng have joined forces for thorium development. What’s in it for the U.S.?

The U.S. Department of Energy is quietly collaborating with China on an alternative nuclear power design known as a molten salt reactor that could run on thorium fuel Continue reading →

June 30, 2012 Posted by | China, politics international, Reference, Uranium, USA | Leave a comment

Some respect entering in USA-Iran practical talks

Silver lining in Iran nuclear talks, Asia Times Online By Kaveh L Afrasiabi 27 June 12 Despite the deadlock at last week’s talks in Moscow between Iran and world powers on the former’s nuclear ambitions, it seems not all hope is lost.

The glimmer of progress lies in the support building for a technical agreement on a nuclear fuel swap, which is the subject of a technical follow-on meeting for July 3 in Istanbul, as well as in improved confidence-building measures between the US and Iran. Continue reading →

June 30, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international, USA | Leave a comment

Malaysian govt insists that Lynas might have to take its radioactive wastes back to Australia

The  Temporary Operating License  will only be issued after Lynas  fulfils two new conditions imposed 

AELB: Lynas committed to returning radioactive waste to AustraliaThe Malaysian Insider By Lisa J. Ariffin June 28, DENGKIL, June 28 — Lynas is committed to return all potentially harmful waste from its rare earths plant here to Australia despite its government’s firm refusal to take it in, Malaysia’s radiation regulator said today.

The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB)  told reporters today the Australian miner would have to send home all residue that could not be turned into commercial products or if a location for a permanent disposal facility (PDF) here could not be determined or approved.

“Lynas will have 10 months to come up with a permanent disposal facility plan for its radioactive residue upon receiving its temporary operating license (TOL),”  said Dr Noor Hasnah Mohamed Khairullah who is special adviser to the AELB director-general.

“If they fail to find a location for the PDF, or if the plan is not approved, then Lynas has to return the residues back to Australia.  Continue reading →

June 29, 2012 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, Malaysia, politics international, Uranium, wastes | Leave a comment

Russia resisting Israel’s push for military action against Iran

Russia’s FM warns against issuing ultimatums to Iran over its nuclear program WP, 22 June, MOSCOW — Russia’s foreign minister said Friday that Iran shouldn’t face threats over its nuclear program and that a quick settlement of the standoff over it isn’t realistic. Sergey Lavrov said the latest round of talks in Moscow this week between six world powers and Iran has been “quite useful,” even though there was no breakthrough. He said talks must continue without “any artificial deadlines or ultimatums.”..

. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is expected to face a strong Israeli demand to take a tougher line on Iran when he visits the Jewish state next week. Lavrov’s statement signaled, however, that Moscow will likely respond to Israeli calls for stronger action with its usual advice to be patient and continue talks..

.. The negotiators agreed to hold a low-level meeting on July 3 of technical experts in Istanbul, Turkey, before deciding whether there is enough common ground to hold another round of full-fledged political talks. A pause in negotiations may offer a new opportunity for Israel to argue that military force is the only way to stop Tehran from developing atomic weapons.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russias-fm-warns-against-issuing-ultimatums-to-iran-over-its-nuclear-program/2012/06/22/gJQArTgUvV_story.html

June 23, 2012 Posted by | politics international, Russia | Leave a comment

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