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In Malawi, Namibia, Niger workers making trouble for uranium mining companies

Conflicts with unions and management may have even larger impacts in the future,

Uranium Miners in Africa Facing Labor Disputes, Business Insider, Resource Investing News        | May 16, 2012, Uranium mining companies are operating in difficult environments in many jurisdictions, facing challenges ranging from regulatory compliance,
environmental delays, rising costs, and labor relations. Over the last year, the labor challenges seem to have become more accentuated for African uranium mining companies, with several companies having reporting strikes. Continue reading

May 17, 2012 Posted by | business and costs, employment, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Uranium | Leave a comment

Radioactive contamination, kidnappings, as uranium mining continues in Niger

shortcomings in the protection of workers against radiation, and increasing numbers of people living at Arlit or Akokan, a nearby town, cited this as the cause of their ill health…..uranium mining continues despite kidnappings

Safety concerns dog French uranium mines in Niger Still no sign of medical provisions Areva promised in 2009  Hervé Kempf * Guardian Weekly,   15 October 2010 For years uranium mining in Niger proceeded without giving rise to any major problems for companies, but things changed at the turn of the century. Since then the population of the mining town Arlit has become increasingly concerned that radioactivity may be exceeding regulatory limits. Continue reading

October 16, 2010 Posted by | Niger, safety, Uranium | , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Uranium shares plunge due to Al-Qaida terrorism in Niger

on September 16, forces associated with al-Qa’ida kidnapped the seven people employed by French uranium company Areva and its contractor, Vinci, from the town of Arlit in Niger’s uranium mining region.Areva has subsequently evacuated expatriate personnel and France has dispatched anti-terrorism forces to the region……

NGM Resources shares fall as Paladin bid is threatened * Michael Bennet  The Australian * September 29, 2010 NGM Resources shares today plunged 43 per cent on the likelihood Paladin Energy’s takeover offer will fall through… Continue reading

September 29, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, Niger | , , | Leave a comment

AREVA’s chief heads to Niger as uranium mines security deteriorates

The warning said the security situation in the Arlit region — where Areva runs uranium mines and where the five French nationals, a Togolese and a Madagascan were kidnapped by Al-Qaeda linked militants — was deteriorating.

Hostage crisis: French nuclear boss heads to Niger, Google hosted news, (AFP) – 28 Sept 10, PARIS — The chairwoman of French state-owned nuclear giant Areva is to visit the firm’s operation in Niger, the company said Monday, after Al-Qaeda militants kidnapped several of her employees there.”Anne Lauvergeon plans to visit Niger soon,” a spokesman said, declining to confirm a report that she would travel on Thursday. The purpose of her visit is to visit Areva employees in the region, the spokesman said. Continue reading

September 28, 2010 Posted by | Niger, safety, Uranium | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Terrorist danger to France’s uranium mines in Niger

Earlier this year, the US warned that al Qaeda’s interest in nuclear weapons was still strong and said the risk of nuclear terrorism was serious.

France sees second attack on energy workers in West Africa,  Oil & Gas Journal, Sep 27, 2010 By Eric Watkins,“……………The attack on the Bourbon Alexandre came just 6 days after members of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization captured five French nationals in Niger’s uranium fields. Continue reading

September 28, 2010 Posted by | Niger, politics international, Uranium | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Niger getting too dangerous for foreign nuclear companies

Western firms “that steal our wealth and take advantage of our people should know that they are legitimate targets for the mujaheddin and they should leave promptly because our land is not a field for plunder and our wealth is not something to be taken advantage of.”

NIAMEY, Niger, Sept. 24 (UPI) — Suddenly, the uranium mining industry is becoming a risky business, it seems.Islamic militants who kidnapped seven people at a French-owned uranium mine in Niger Sept. 16 have warned Western firms that “steal our wealth … to leave promptly.”… Continue reading

September 25, 2010 Posted by | Niger, politics international, Uranium | , , , , , | Leave a comment

AREVA in trouble in Niger: Paladin uranium gets out

Paladin Energy Ltd: Defeating Conditions Triggered Regarding Bid for NGM Resources Ltd – MarketWatch, 25 Sept 10, ”       On September 16, 2010, forces associated with al-Qaida in the Magreb (North Africa) (AQIM) entered the town of Arlit in Niger’s uranium mining region and abducted seven people, employed by the French uranium company Areva and its construction contractor, Vinci. Continue reading

September 25, 2010 Posted by | Niger, safety, Uranium | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Niger kidnappings induce uranium company Paladin to leave

Niger kidnappings puts Paladin Energy off NGM bid. Sep 24, 2010  SYDNEY,  (Reuters) – Australia-based uranium miner Paladin Energy is to drop its A$27 million ($26 million) bid for NGM Resources (NGM.AX: Quote), it said on Friday, citing worries that kidnappings in west Africa would hamper NGM’s exploration work in the region. Continue reading

September 25, 2010 Posted by | Niger, safety | , , , , , | Leave a comment

AREVA’s nuclear workers kidnapped by al-Qaida in Niger

Six of the seven hostages worked at a huge uranium mine in northern Niger run by French state-owned nuclear power giant Areva. The seventh was married to an Areva employee…….

France’s Sarkozy calls Niger kidnappings worrying By JENNY BARCHFIELD (AP) – 23 Sept 10, PARIS — French President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed on Wednesday to mobilize his government to free five French people abducted last week by an al-Qaida affiliate in Niger, calling it a “very serious and worrying affair,” Continue reading

September 23, 2010 Posted by | Niger, safety, Uranium | , , , , , | Leave a comment

French nuclear giant AREVA struggles to clean up its dirty reputation in Niger

several NGOs have decried the French company’s rosy picture of its activities in northern Niger. The president of local NGO Aghir In Man, Almoustapha Alassane, has accused Areva of poisoning water and air near its mining sites, blaming uranium contamination for several “mysterious” deaths in the region.

Kidnapping comes as French nuclear giant Areva works on image, France24 , 17 Sept 10, The kidnapping of seven foreign nuclear employees in Niger comes as the French nuclear giant Areva is trying to improve its image in a region threatened by robbery, widespread resentment, and radical Islamism.”In nearly 40 years, Areva didn’t care at all for the locals. But in the last few years, Areva changed its strategy and started implementing development projects”, says Moussa Kaka, RFI’s correspondent in Niger. Continue reading

September 18, 2010 Posted by | Niger, spinbuster, Uranium | , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

French AREVA nuclear workers evacuating from Niger kidnap area

The approximately 30 Areva expatriates in Arlit are all being evacuated to Niamey, the Niger capital and have the option of returning to France, an Areva press officer said Friday..

France suspects al-Qaida link in Niger kidnapping, PhillyBurbs.com:, 17 Sept 10, The Associated Press Authorities believe al-Qaida’s North Africa branch could be behind the kidnapping of five French nationals and two Africans in Niger, Continue reading

September 17, 2010 Posted by | Niger, secrets,lies and civil liberties | , , , , | Leave a comment

In Niger, AREVA’s nuclear workers kidnapped

Seven nuclear workers kidnapped as they slept, The Guardian, 16 Sept 10, French people working in Niger have been kidnapped along with one from Togo and one from Madagascar Associated Press in Paris
Five French people working in Niger have been kidnapped along with one from Togo and one from Madagascar, France’s foreign ministry said today.

The seven, who were employees of the French nuclear reactor builder Areva and a subcontractor, were seized near the uranium-mining town of Arlit as they slept.

Seven nuclear workers kidnapped as they slept | World news | The Guardian

September 17, 2010 Posted by | Niger, safety | , , , , , | Leave a comment

France steps up security in its uranium colony, Niger

Areva extracts almost half its uranium from Niger, where it has been active for 40 years.

French nuclear giant steps up security after hostage killing, Expatica France, 27 July, 2010, French nuclear power giant Areva said Tuesday it had stepped up security around its sites in the West African country of Niger after Al-Qaeda murdered a French hostage captured in the region…… Continue reading

July 28, 2010 Posted by | Niger, safety | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Niger radio station, critical of AREVA uranium company, re-opens

….who announced in January 2008 a campaign against uranium mining, including by French state-controlled nuclear company Areva, in the north..

Niger radio in rebel area back on air after 2 years , Google hosted news 15 June 2010, NIAMEY — The main private radio station in uranium-rich northern Niger was on air again on Monday after being closed two years earlier by the deposed president following broadcasts linked to the Tuareg rebellion. Continue reading

June 15, 2010 Posted by | media, Niger | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Niger’s enviroment contaminated by AREVA’s radioactive uranium wastes

VIDEO Left in the Dust – Areva’s uranium mining in Niger | Greenpeace International

Left in the Dust – Areva’s uranium mining in Niger | Greenpeace International 6 May 2010, Operations of Nuclear giant AREVA put lives at risk in Niger. Uranium mines in Niger operated by the state-owned French nuclear giant AREVA continue to create a radioactive hazard for the people living nearby. Continue reading

May 7, 2010 Posted by | Niger, wastes | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment