Uranium Energy reports 3Q loss
Uranium Energy posts third-quarter loss of $5.3 million
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) _ Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC) on Tuesday reported a loss of $5.3 million in its fiscal third quarter…….http://finance.yahoo.com/news/uranium-energy-reports-3q-loss-101556220.html
Investors warned ; uranium market still in trouble
The uranium sector DUNDEE CAPITAL MARKETS The Globe and Mail , May. 21 2015 “…..We have concerns regarding negative impact to investor and utility/trader sentiment, which could manifest itself in the already thin spot uranium market. The two other news items might influence investor sentiment but essentially cancel each other out. Uranium stocks retreated yesterday, followed by the price.”
Trying to cut costs, TEPCO to sell uranium stockpile
Tepco looking to sell some uranium stockpiles to cut costs Japan Times, 19 May 15 Tokyo Electric Power Co. is planning to sell part of its uranium stockpiles for nuclear power generation in the current business year to cut costs amid uncertainty over the restart of idled nuclear plants, a company document obtained by Kyodo News showed Monday.
Tepco has not consumed uranium since the 2011 nuclear crisis started at its Fukushima No. 1 complex that eventually resulted in all of Japan’s nuclear reactors being taken offline amid safety concerns. By reducing the stockpiles, the utility is seeking to slash costs for managing them as it faces funding difficulties stemming from the nuclear crisis.
According to the document, Tepco aims to reduce the amount of uranium to levels prior to the Fukushima disaster by the end of fiscal 2015 through March. The company estimated in the paper it can secure ¥12.3 billion ($103.13 million) by selling around half of the planned amount……..
Major utilities including Tepco procure uranium, which could be diverted to military use, under long-term contracts from overseas suppliers in Canada and elsewhere.
As of the end of March, Tepco had a total of 17,570 tons of uranium (tU), equivalent to the amount used at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant for 10 years, compared with 16,805 tU at the time of the nuclear disaster in March 2011.
The amount would increase to 19,317 tU in fiscal 2015 if the company does not sell some of the stockpile.The utility will likely return it to the suppliers or pay for the costs of uranium enrichment in kind, while it will also consider terminating uranium purchase contracts and reducing purchase volumes to streamline its business, according to the document.
Japan Atomic Power Co. has also taken the rare step of selling some of its uranium, apparently to raise money to repay loans amid its faltering business conditions. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/05/19/business/corporate-business/tepco-looking-sell-uranium-stockpiles-cut-costs/#.VVv7z7mqpHw
Uranium price takes another dive down
Uranium daily spot price down 35 cents from week ago to $35.65/lb Washington (Platts)–19 May2015
The uranium daily spot price was $35.65/lb U3O8 Monday, down 35 cents from a week ago, according to price publisher TradeTech.
The daily U3O8 spot price had held steady at $36/lb during four trading days, May 8-13, TradeTech reported. The spot price declined 25 cents on Thursday and by another 10 cents, to $35.65/lb, on Friday, according to TradeTech, which Monday reported it unchanged…….http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/washington/uranium-daily-spot-price-down-35-cents-from-week-21469982
A year of losses for Namibia’ Rossing uranium mine
Namibia’s Rossing Uranium revenue tumbled in 2014 – official, Star Africa May 19, 2015 The impact of lower prices and the lower production figures in 2014 has strained Rossing Uranium’s revenue, which declined by 19 per cent compared to the previous year, leading to a net loss after tax of N$91 million (about US$8 million), compared to N$32 million (about US$2.7 million) profit in 2013.
The company’s turnover in 2014 was N$2.4 billion (about US$201 million), down from N$2.9 billion (about US$243 million) in 2013.
Managing director Werner Duvenhage revealed in a statement issued to APA on Tuesday that 2014 was a tough year due to continued decline of uranium globally, putting substantial pressure on the business.
“The challenging times currently experienced in our industry are mainly because of global influences. It was a tough year because the uranium price continued to decline globally, putting substantial pressure on our business, with the average uranium spot market price at US$33 (N$333) per lbs, much lower than the US$38 (N$418)) per lbs average in 2013,â€� he explained……….
Unfortunately, the uranium price declined further during the first half of the year, leading to a management and board decision to curtail production and meet only contractual commitments, with the resulting curtailment production plan effective from August 2014,� he said.
“The 2011 tsunami in Japan and its impact on the Fukushima nuclear plant still continued to plague the uranium market in 2014, with excess supply causing a decline in market prices.
“Nuclear plants in Japan remained off-line for most of the year. Supply has increased over the three years since the Fukushima incident.
“This is a recipe for continued weak prices in the near term. Utilities are holding large stocks in all forms, which defer their need to buy for one to three years on averageâ€�……http://en.starafrica.com/news/namibias-rossing-uranium-revenue-tumbled-in-2014-official.html
Opposition in Greenland to Australian rare earths/uranium mining project
The concerns come as Greenland Minerals and Energy, an Australia-based mining outfit, closes in on final approval to begin production rare earths, a mineral vital for use in modern technologies……
in order to extract rare earths, GME will also need to mine uranium as a by-product, and that has raised fears, particularly among farmers, sheep farmers and those making a living off tourism, that dust from the open-pit facility will taint the region’s soil and water, and in the process spoil the region’s image.
Instead representatives from Urani Naamik, an anti-uranium group, together with IA, the main opposition party, have put forward 17 proposals they say could help to stimulate job growth in other sectors of the economy, including agriculture, fishing and bottling of glacial meltwater.
Until 2013, mining uranium in Greenland was explicitly banned. A law change opened up the possibility for such operations to be approved, but the issue remains divisive.
“We’re told that without a mine out at Kvanefjeld, Narsaq will die. We say that Narsaq will die if the build a mine it will kill Narsaq,” Mariane Paviasen, a Urani Naamik representative, said in April…….
Another criticism of the Kvanefjeld mine is that GME intends to dump tailings, a miner’s term for unwanted material, into a lake close by the facility. Berthlesen defends the process, calling it the best way to protect the surrounding area against possible radiation from the tailings.
Urani Naamik, however, wants an independent study looking into the mine’s environmental impact to be conducted. …..http://arcticjournal.com/oil-minerals/1583/uranium-opponents-look-other-sectors-job-growth
Things look crook for the uranium market – no respite in sight
Uranium prices have taken a turn for the worse due to a combination of factors that pulled the floor from underneath the commodity.
Back in November 2014, prices spiked from $28 per pound to $44 per pound. This was largely due to the sanctions imposed on Russia after the annexation of Crimea, thus portending a supply shortage.
But the price is currently close to $35 per pound. And technical indicators are pointing south once again……..
France was so confident in its atomic energy capabilities that, about 10 years ago, the French nuclear establishment made a bet on a new generation of reactors using European pressurize reactor (EPR) technology. These reactors were touted as the safest and most powerful ever made.
But, France isn’t living up to its promises. New plants that would ostensibly showcase the most cutting edge of nuclear energy prowess are years behind schedule and billions of euros over budget. Some are as much as three times more expensive than the original cost projections! At this point, many are questioning if they’ll ever be completed.
Plus, The New York Times reported on April 7 that one reactor, the Autorite de Surete Nucleaire, had discovered imperfections in the steel used by Areva (AREVA.PA) to make the caps of the main reactor vessel.
The caps contain the extreme heat, pressure, and radiation produced by nuclear fission. These same parts were used for a plant under construction in Taishan, China, which is being built in partnership with France……http://www.wallstreetdaily.com/2015/05/15/uranium-commodity-concerns/
AREVA Uranium Exploration and Mining in Mongolia
Today I heard a yet unpublished, unconfirmed news coming from a Mongolia Antinuclear activist :
As Areva is very busy exploring and mining uranium in Mongolia, journalists and local opponents are definitely not welcomed around.
A French woman named Caroline, who recently came to Mongolia together with a French man journalist, with the intention of filming a documentary, about Areva’s uranium activities in Mongolia, were guided by a few local Mongolian antinuclear activists to a certain place in Mongolia where Areva has a campsite, for uranium exploration in the aera.
According to my source, they both quickly returned from that place, the French woman severely wounded by knife, both of them renouncing completely to film their documentary, and they immediately flew back to France, cutting short their stay in Mongolia.
I have asked to my source to look discreetly for further details: what date did this happened, what location in Mongolia. But I told my source most of all to not take risks digging that story, to tread very lightly.
Conclusion: Mongolia is a bit far and isolated, so already very little news is trickling out, but if some journalists or film makers intend to go there uninvited to make a scoop on Areva Mongol’s activities there, it may become quickly unhealthy for them!
Historical background
April 13, 2007 – Russia, Mongolia to jointly prospect, produce, process uranium
“[Nuclear power agency] Rosatom and Mongolia’s industry and trade ministry signed a protocol on development of cooperation in the field of geological prospecting, production and processing of uranium ores,” Rosatom secretary Sergei Novikov said on April 13, 2007. Rosatom head Sergei Kiriyenko held a meeting with Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar and held talks with the country’s prime minister, Miegombyn Enkhbold, during which it was agreed to implement international projects in Russia and Mongolia. (RIA Novosti, April 13, 2007)
April 11, 2008 – Russia-Mongolia uranium agreement signed
Russia and Mongolia have signed an agreement to cooperate in the production of Mongolian uranium. Prime minister Sanjaa Bayar also told journalists that his country is interested in building a nuclear power plant with Russian help.
According to reports, the agreement signed during a visit by Bayar to Moscow comprises a plan of joint actions whereby Russian specialists would assist in the uranium exploration, extraction and processing in Mongolia. OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Agency figures show Mongolia’s ‘reasonably assured’ uranium resources are currently estimated at some 46,000 tonnes, but Sergei Kiryenko, head of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, was upbeat about the possibility the country could have much more. “I think they are more than officially registered, over 100,000 tonnes,” he said. (WNN 11 Apr. 2008)
April 24, 2009 – IAEA offers assistance with development of uranium deposits to Mongolia
Mongolia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will work together toward implementing a joint program for the peaceful and effective use of the nation’s uranium. IAEA Director General ElBaradei said the IAEA will support Mongolia’s efforts to use its proven reserves with the help of international assistance. (UB Post Apr. 24, 2009)
July 16, 2009 – Japan and Mongolia sign agreement on joint uranium mine development
Japan and Mongolia signed a mine development agreement Thursday (July 16), as resource-poor Tokyo searches for ways to secure mineral products. Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso agreed with visiting Mongolian premier Sanjaa Bayar that their nations would jointly develop uranium mines for use in nuclear power plants. (Straits Times July 16, 2009)
Sept. 14, 2009 – India signs uranium supply agreement with Mongolia
India Monday (Sep. 14) signed a uranium supply agreement with Mongolia, the fifth country to seal a civil nuclear pact with New Delhi, and announced a soft loan of $25 million to rejuvenate the economy of the resource-rich Central Asian country. (SamayLive Sep 14, 2009)
Oct. 7, 2009 – Areva signs agreement with Mongolia
French nuclear company Areva has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on nuclear energy and radioactive materials cooperation with Mongolia’s Atomic Energy Department (AED). Areva CEO Anne Lauvergeon reiterated Areva’s interest in increasing its investment in Mongolia and infomed the Mongolian president that her company would “assist Mongolia to train its mining specialists.” (WNN Oct. 7, 2009)
Dec. 21, 2009 – Mitsubishi Corporation joins Areva with uranium exploration in Mongolia
On Dec. 21, 2009, Areva announced that it has invited Mitsubishi Corporation to participate in the development of its uranium exploration assets in Mongolia with the possibility of acquiring 34% of Areva Mongol over time. Areva currently holds 36 uranium exploration licenses on more than 14,000 km2 in both the Dornogobi and Sukhbaatar provinces.
Jan. 13, 2010 – India to mine uranium in Mongolia
India and Mongolia on Wednesday (Jan. 13) decided to operationalise their pact on civil nuclear cooperation by assisting in capacity creation for Ulan Bator’s nuclear sector and considering the manner in which India would begin uranium mining in Mongolia. (The Hindu Jan. 13, 2010)
July 19, 2010 – China and Mongolia sign Memorandum of Understanding on nuclear power cooperation
On June 1, Mr. Sun Qin, General Manager of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Radioactive Minerals and Nuclear Power Cooperation (MOU) with Mr. Enkhbat, Director General of the Mongolian Nuclear Energy Agency in the presence of the premiers of the two states during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to Mongolia. The execution of the MOU laid the foundation for cooperation between the two countries in peaceful use of nuclear energy and uranium resources in particular. (CNNC July 19, 2010)
Nov. 2, 2010 – France and Mongolia sign agreement on nuclear cooperation, uranium mining
On Oct. 14, 2010, France and Mongolia signed a cooperation agreement in the field of nuclear energy. It covers, among others, uranium exploration and exploitation by Areva in Mongolia. (Areva Nov. 2, 2010)
Dec. 27, 2010 – Russia and Mongolia uranium mining joint venture
According to RIA Novosti, the Russian Federation Council ratified on Dec. 24 the agreement with Mongolia on the creation of a uranium mining joint venture. (Emfis Dec. 27, 2010)
107 uranium exploration licenses issued in Mongolia
According to the Nuclear Energy Authority, 107 uranium exploration licenses have been issued in Mongolia so far. Two uranium exploitation licenses have been issued as well. The agency also says the state spent MNT 16 billion for uranium exploration in 2009, MNT 25.1 billion in 2010, and MNT 37.1 billion in 2011.
Specialists say most exploration work is being done in Dornod, Sukhbaatar, and Dornogobi aimags. A total of nine uranium deposit mines have been identified in the country, and these mines have an estimated 68,500 tons of uranium. Forty-three exploration licenses have been granted in Dornogobi aimag, 26 in Dornod aimag, and 19 in Sukhbaatar aimag. Twenty-eight companies have finished research and test work and have begun to prepare to exploit uranium deposits. Some companies are planning to exploit uranium beginning in 2014 and to build uranium processing facilities in Dornod, Dornogobi, and Dundgobi aimags. (news.mn Dec. 16, 2011)
Two uranium processing facilities to be built in Dornod province
The Nuclear Energy Authority says it has big plans for Mongolia’s uranium mining industry. The authority says two uranium processing facilities will be built in Dornod aimag (province), and construction preparation work is already underway. The factories will export uranium products to France and Kazakhstan.
Uranium exploration efforts began in Mongolia in 2009, and the Nuclear Energy Authority is planning to intensify exploration efforts. The work of establishing uranium mines in Dornod and Dundgobi aimags has begun. (news.mn Dec. 28, 2011)
http://www.wise-uranium.org/upmn.html
April 2013 – The French nuclear giant AREVA (EPA:AREVA) revealed information about a new uranium discovery in Mongolia.
AREVA Mongol, its Mongolian subsidiary, reported 50,000 tonnes of uranium in inferred resources with a grade of 0.01% as a result of ongoing exploration efforts at the Zoovch Ovoo project.
The project is located in Ulaanbadrah Soum, in the southeastern Dornogobi province of Mongolia.
Uranium mineralization is characterized as roll-front type and potentially amenable for the most effective lowest-cost in-situ leaching (ISL, a.k.a in-situ recovery) mining method.
Thus, by the volume of uranium resources in-situ, the Zoovch Ovoo project is comparable to the biggest deposits of that type in Kazakhstan.
This is not the only Mongolian exploration success for AREVA in recent years.
Two years ago, the company announced the discovery of the Dulaan Uul deposit with 9,888 tonnes of uranium, following field tests which confirmed the ISL mining method as preferable.
AREVA Mongol has 28 exploration licenses covering more than 14,100 square kilometres in the East Gobi province of Mongolia. This huge sedimentary basin contains promising uranium deposits well-suited to ISL mining technology.
October 2013 – AREVA forms a joint venture to develop its mining activities in Mongolia
AREVA has signed an agreement to develop uranium mines in Mongolia and to create the company AREVA Mines LLC, 66% owned by AREVA and 34% owned by MON-ATOM, the Mongolian state-owned nuclear company. Areva in the text of the agreement mentioning Mitsubishi financial participation but without revealing to what extent.
http://www.areva.com/EN/news-10018/areva-forms-a-joint-venture-to-develop-its-mining-activities-in-mongolia.html
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Areva_JV_to_develop_Mongolian_mines-2810137.html
http://au.ibtimes.com/areva-inks-agreement-develop-uranium-mines-mongolia-1321458
Areva Operations in Mongolia
AREVA Mongol LLC
AREVA Mongol, the parent company
In 2007, AREVA purchased the East Asia Minerals Energy company, renamed it AREVA Mongol in March 2008. AREVA Mongol LLC is the parent company of the entities in Mongolia. Its headquarters are in Ulaanbaatar, the capital.
All support functions are grouped together. It counts with its entities, nearly 120 employees of which over 90% are of Mongolian origin.
Since 2009, AREVA Mongol owns 100% of Cogegobi. In November 2011, Mitsubishi has exercised its previous agreement of an investment option, becoming 34% shareholder in Areva Mongol LLC.
Cogegobi LLC for exploration
The Cogegobi LLC company holds all the uranium deposit exploration permits (22 licenses). All functions related to exploration are grouped unde Cogegobi LLC.
AREVA Mining LLC for the mining operations
AREVA Mines LLC (66% AREVA MONGOL LLC, MON-ATOM 34%) is the company that will own the mining licenses that will be requested by Cogegobi to the International Atomic Energy Agency
All functions relating to the operation will be consolidated within AREVA Mines LLC.
http://www.areva.com/FR/activites-586/areva-en-mongolie-une-presence-renforcee-et-prometteuse.html
Uranium in Mongolia : 1.47 millionTU estimated !
According to the 2011 Red Book, Mongolia has 74,000 tU in Reasonably Assured Resources plus Inferred Resources, to US$ 130/kg U. However, geological indications reported in the Red Book suggest that uranium resources could be 1.47 million tU.
The mining sector is Mongolia’s single largest industry, accounting for 55% of industrial output and more than 40% of export earnings.
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-G-N/Mongolia/
Antinuclear in Mongolia
Herders on horseback protesting in Ulaanbaatar against mining activities
Central Square of the capital city is more crowded than usual for the last ten days. United under the moto “Save the Nation”, members of three civil movements – United for Rivers and Lakes , Khuder River , and Gal Undesten – started to converge on Sukhbaatar Square since April 19th with 100 horsemen and horse carts and erected eight gers (yurts) there. Most of them are herders, who have come on horseback from countryside to demand stopping of mining activities that destroys their pastureland.
All the members had their heads bound in bands and held sign boards with the slogans “We want resignation of the Government!”, “Give power to the People!”. The movement wants a national discussion on the present situation, resignation of the Government, and dissolution of Parliament. Moreover, they already have the anthem “Wake up Mongols”, which has been playing all day at the Sukhbaatar Square.
According to an activist of the movement there are about 400 people from different soums (counties) of 18 provinces participating in this civil movement to protect their living areas. They are calling out people to join and to involve in the movement at the Sukhbaatar Square. Both the assembly and the putting up of gers in Sukhbaatar Square are in violation of orders, but the gers are still there. Another 300 horsemen are on their way to Ulaanbaatar from the western provinces to join those already here. (UB Post Apr. 26, 2011)
Uranium Action Day: protests at Areva office in Ulaanbaatar
Activists of Golomt – Anti Nuclear Movement Mongolia held protests against the proposed uranium mining in Mongolia at the offices of Areva in Ulaanbaatar on Sep. 29, and Oct. 1, 2012. (Golomt Oct. 2, 2012)
Demonstration in Ulaanbaatar against uranium extraction in Mongolia
Several NGOs expressed their opposition against uranium extraction in Mongolia, informed the public of the fatal effects deriving from uranium in Ulaanbadrakh soum [county], and prompted decision makers to visit the soum in Dornogovi Province to witness the conditions, at a peaceful demonstration at the Central Square [in Ulaanbaatar] on Monday (June 9).
Residents of Ulaanbadrakh soum have contacted the NGOs for support against uranium operation of Gogegobi LLC and Areva Mongol LLC, fully owned subsidiary of France-headquartered uranium-giant Areva, at the soum which has reportedly seen 200 livestock die and many more with birth defects due to uranium contamination in the region. (UBPost June 12, 2014)
http://www.wise-uranium.org/upmn.html
The largest antinuclear activist group on Facebook is from Mongolia
10,183 members !
https://www.facebook.com/groups/nonuclearmongolia/
Uranium effluent discharged into Malawi river by Australian company Paladin
Malawi: Paladin Starts Discharging Uranium Wastes Into Public Rivers, AllAfrica, By Bishop Witmos Karonga April 23: Few months after Paladin Africa Limited differed with civil society organizations (CSOs) and some chiefs in Karonga over the disposition of uranium wastes into public water, the company has started discharging the effluent into Sere River.
Paladin Africa Limited, a member of the Paladin Energy group of companies, suspended its operations at Kayelekera Mine in the district in May, 2014, due to unstable uranium prices at an international market. The project is now on care and maintenance.
Malawi News Agency (Mana) has established Paladin invited Paramount Chief Kyungu and the District Commissioner (DC) for Karonga, Rosemary Moyo, to a meeting in Lilongwe early April this year (2015),to brief them about the company’s recent decision.
Paladin Africa Acting General Manager in Malawi, Greg Walker, confirmed in a telephone interview that the company, indeed, started releasing the uranium wastes into the public rivers………
Sere River flows into North Rukuru River, then into Lake Malawi.
When asked why the company decided to brief Paramount Chief Kyungu and the Karonga DC about their action in Lilongwe instead of explaining it to the general populace of Karonga, Walker said the company conducted enough meetings with relevant authorities in the district……..
Despite the decision by Paladin to start discharging its effluent into the public water, some people in the district feet it would have been safer if the company had constructed another dam where the wastes would be transferred into.
Chairperson for Karonga District Council, Patrick Kishombe, said in an interview the plan to release the waste water from the storage dam into Sere River is raising fears amongst communities who feel the water is not fully treated and could be a health hazard.
“This, I believe, will lead into many hazards, like killing of fish in Lake Malawi and may also cause skin cancer to some people,” said Kishombe.
Uranium contains gamma rays, particles that cause skin cancer to human kind, according to experts.
In developed nations, mining companies construct a stable tank that stores all the wastes, ready for transportation to recommended disposal sites. ……http://allafrica.com/stories/201504231621.html
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES
The decline of the nuclear industry poses huge challenges – nuclear experts need not fear unemployment.
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL. If all nuclear reactors stopped today, and all nuclear weapons were “turned off”, the world would still be left with a massive unsolved problem of disposing of the wastes.
BURYING THE CORPSES of nuclear reactors – (they prefer that nice word “decommissioning”) – a huge part of the unsolved waste problem.
ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Renewable energy is taking over – it is supposed to be “clean and green”. And digital communications are also taking over the world.
But at present, both of these require “rare earths”
RARE EARTHS On the one hand, these play a part in the renewable energy future, for example in making wind turbines, and in electric car batteries. Rare earths are a group of 17 chemical elements ( yttrium and the 15 lanthanide elements (lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium) Rare earth metals and alloys that contain them are used in many devices that people use every day such as: computer memory, DVD’s, rechargeable batteries, cell phones, car catalytic converters, magnets, fluorescent lighting and much more. http://geology.com/articles/rare-earth-elements/
On the other hand, – the downside of rare earths – in the mining and processing of these rare earth minerals, radioactive wastes are produced.
US FILM THE RETURN OF NAVAJO BOY RECEIVES YELLOW OSCAR
Exposing Uranium Mining ‘Return of Navajo Boy’ Receives Yellow Oscar in Rio, Censored News 21 Apr 15 Navajo Boy Co-producer Bennie Klain, Dine’ (Navajo) US FILM THE RETURN OF NAVAJO BOY RECEIVES YELLOW OSCAR
RIO DE JANEIRO/QUEBEC CITY, Rio de Janeiro´s 5th International Uranium Film Festival started Wednesday, April 15, with a wonderful Gala and the presence of international guests from all five continents including French Canadian actress Karine Vanasse in Quebec City. Until April 25 this unique global film festival will screen more than 40 documentaries, short films, animations and fiction movies about nuclear power, uranium risks and atomic bombs. The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) is the event’s principal host of this in the world most important film festival about nuclear energy and radioactive risks in Quebec.
USA 2000/2008, 57 min and 15 min, Epilogue / Documentary, Director:
Jeff Spitz, Produced by Jeff Spitz and Bennie Klain, www.navajoboy.com<(link is external)http://www.navajoboy.com>……
Cameco uranium company a “great corporate citizen”? Actually NO!
Don’t call Cameco a “great corporate citizen,” group says BY JASON WARICK, THE STAR PHOENIX APRIL 17, 2015 Governments should not describe Cameco as a “great corporate citizen” while suing the company over a $1.5 billion tax debt, a lobby group says.
“One questions whether governments should promote companies who so flagrantly violate Canadian tax law,” said Dennis Howlett, executive director of Canadians for Tax Fairness………
Howlett noted Cameco is in court for allegedly avoiding payment of $1.5 billion in federal and provincial taxes by funnelling business through a Swiss subsidiary. The IRS in the United States also alleges the mining company owes it more than $30 million. Cameco is disputing the allegations.
Howlett said he wonders what deterrent there is for companies to dodge their taxes if governments continue to praise them. He said it sends all the wrong signals, noting the issue is particularly serious because of the massive amounts involved.
“It is very much a concern,” he said.
Speaking to reporters at the Saskatchewan legislature on Thursday, Wall said he’s been “watching very carefully” as the tax case develops…….. http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/call+Cameco+great+corporate+citizen+group+says/10982294/story.html
Japan’s nuclear restart is stalled – causing yet more depression in the uranium market
Japanese Court Blocks Reactor Restarts on Safety Concerns, Uranium Investing News
April 16, 2015, By Staff Writer The U3O8 spot price has floundered a little since the start of April. Though it was sitting at $39.50 at the beginning of the month, it’s since dropped down to $39 per pound.
Compounding that stagnancy, the uranium market was dealt a heavy hit this week when a Japanese court issued an injunction to block the restart of two reactors at Kansai Electric Power Company’s (TSE:9503) Takahama nuclear power plant. Reactor restarts are a key psychological catalyst for the uranium market, and the news is expected to have a negative impact on the space.
Safety concerns
Nuclear power is not looked upon favorably in all areas of Japan, and the Fukui Prefecture, where the Takahama plant is located, is one such place. It’s thus perhaps not too surprising that the Fukui District Court shelved plans to restart the two reactors.
The court’s decision was reportedly made on the basis of safety concerns and is the first injunction against any nuclear power plant in Japan in 50 years. Specifically, the court ruled that regulations implemented after the 2011 Fukushima disaster are no guarantee against another accident.
“The new regulations are not reasonable, therefore there is no need to study whether the Takahama plant satisfies them,” the court said, adding that the regulations are “so loose that compliance with these regulations wouldn’t secure the safety of this plant.”
According to NHK, residents of the Fukui Prefecture are in favor of blocking the reactors, and have “argu[ed] that the government’s plans ignored or underestimated risks and failed to meet tougher safety standards that were imposed after the Fukushima crisis.”
Kansai Electric is working on getting the injunction lifted. Originally, the reactors were scheduled to restart later this year, but that is now unlikely given the setback……..
It it is unclear if Japan’s pro-nuclear central government will be able overturn district courts like the one in Fukui Prefecture. In addition, the court’s decision could still have a negative impact on equities, and could slow down the process of bringing nuclear power back to Japan. Sadowski also believes that if more utilities are blocked, the uranium price could bear the burden, sinking lower as the market factors in the implications…….
investors would do well to watch not only what’s going on in Fukui Prefecture, but also what’s happening in Kagoshima Prefecture. According to NDTV, activists there are seeking an injunction to stop the restart of reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Company’s (TSE:9508) Sendai nuclear power plant. A court ruling is expected there on April 22. http://uraniuminvestingnews.com/21492/japan-kansai-electric-power-takahama-nuclear-power-plant.html
Federal Judge OKs Uranium Mining Next to Grand Canyon National Park
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2015/uranium-mining-04-08-2015.html
Decision Allows Mining Without Tribal Consultation or Update Decades-old Environmental Review
PHOENIX, Ariz.— U.S. District Court Judge David Campbell denied a request to halt new uranium mining at the Canyon uranium mine, located only six miles from Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim. The Havasupai tribe and a coalition of conservation groups had challenged the U.S. Forest Service’s decision to allow Energy Fuels Inc. to reopen the mine without initiating or completing formal tribal consultations and without updating an obsolete federal environmental review dating to 1986. At stake are tribal cultural values, wildlife and endangered species, and the risk of toxic uranium mining waste contaminating the aquifers and streams that sustain the Grand Canyon and Colorado River.
“We are very disappointed with the ruling by Judge Campbell in the Canyon Mine case,” said Havasupai Chairman Rex Tilousi. “We believe that the National Historic Preservation Act requires the Forest Service to consult with us and the other affiliated tribes before they let the mining company damage Red Butte, one of our most sacred traditional cultural properties. The Havasupai Tribal Council will meet this week to talk about appealing this ruling.” Continue reading
Manti-La Sal National Forest halt uranium expansion of the La Sal Uranium Mines Complex
Expansion of Four Utah Uranium Mines Halted, Center for Biological Diversity, http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2015/uranium-mines-03-26-2015.html 28 Mar 15
MOAB, Utah— In response to formal objections by Uranium Watch and other conservation groups, the Manti-La Sal National Forest on Tuesday halted plans to allow the uranium industry to expand the La Sal Mines Complex — a complex of four old uranium mines located in La Sal, Utah. Continue reading
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