AFRICA « nuclear-news

Kenya urged to adopt renewable energy, not nuclear

Abandon nuclear energy programme, Unep boss urges Kenya BY PETER ORENGO, 13 Feb 12, Kenya has been advised to shelve its intended development of nuclear power to meet its growing energy needs, but instead concentrate on the vast renewable energy resources.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Year Book 2012, one of United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) ‘s emerging global concerns is the challenge of decommissioning the growing number of end-of-life nuclear power reactors.

Countries have also been reviewing their nuclear programmes following the tsunami that struck Fukushima and its nearby nuclear power plant in Japan, last year…. Considering dangers and cost involved, it will be surprising if Kenya opted for nuclear energy rather than the clean, cheap and available energy potential the country has,” said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director at Gigiri.

He said Kenya has the option of getting energy from bioenergy, geothermal, solar, hydropower, ocean and wind energy… …http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/InsidePage.php?id=2000052072&cid=4

February 14, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AFRICA, politics | 2 Comments

Social ownership of South Africa’s renewable energy sector

Renewable energy plans can create 50,000 jobs (With Video), Business Live 7 Feb 12 The Department of Energy will seek to ensure that government commits R22 billion over the next five years to green projects and aims to create 50,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector. This was revealed by Energy Minister Dipuo Peters who was speaking at a National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) conference on Monday, which was looking at social ownership of SA’s renewable energy sector.

“We want to ensure that the state, through its entities, invests R22 billion in green projects with a commitment of R3 billion towards local manufacturing in the next five years, and at the same time create 50,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector,” Peters said.

She also emphasised that foreign companies can invest in SA’s energy sector, but they must bring with them their technology so that local companies can adopt it.

“The renewable energy drive in China could succeed because companies relocated; based in China, where intimately they perfected the technology and now they’re exporting the technology to SA. So we are also saying as part of our requirement for localisation, let us insist
that these companies that want to invest here, they must bring this
technology to SA.” … http://www.businesslive.co.za/southafrica/sa_markets/2012/02/07/renewable-energy-plans-can-create-50000-jobs-with-video

February 8, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, South Africa | Leave a comment

Botswana workers concerned over radiation from full body X-ray scanning

Debswana workers fear radiation exposure, MMegi online, ISAIAH MOREWAGAE, STAFF WRITER, 5 Feb 12, Debswana and its employees might be headed for a showdown after it emerged that the diamond mining company is pressing ahead with plans to introduce Scannex X-ray body search machines at its diamond mines.

Mmegi has learnt that the company’s employees are unhappy with the X-ray full body search machines, as this has not been preceded by relevant research on the impact of radiation exposure on the health of workers and by close consultation with them.The employees, through the Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU), expressed concern that they were
not involved in the decision to roll out the project. They insist that the company has reneged on its previous promises to engage in further joint research and close worker consultation.

BMWU deputy secretary-general and spokesperson, Sebataladi Ramoitoi confirmed in an interview with Mmegi that no thorough research related to the possible effects of the machine on people has yet been done.”We met the director of radiation on October 12, because we have learnt that Debswana is going ahead with its decision to apply for licenses from the radiation board. We have been holding meetings with Debswana and they told us that there is no turning back as they are going ahead with their application,” Ramoitoi said…..
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=298&dir=2012/February/Friday3

February 7, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AFRICA, health | Leave a comment

Lingering health issues from old uranium mines in South Africa

A compromising health issue Times Live, SIPHO MASONDO | 05 February, Lecturers at a Johannesburg college that is surrounded by three abandoned mine dumps claim that they are getting sick from exposure to uranium. Continue reading →

February 7, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | health, South Africa | Leave a comment

Member of Parliament warns that uranium mining could be a resource curse for Tanzania

Committee wants to see contracts for uranium , By Sylivester Ernest,The Citizen, Tanzania, 26 Jan 12, Dar es Salaam. A Parliamentary committee yesterday ordered the Ministry of Energy and Minerals to furnish it with contracts it signed with two companies to explore uranium in the country.

According to the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals, Mr January Makamba, the aim was to make sure that the contracts entered between the government and Mantra Resources Ltd (Mantra) of South Africa and Uranex would benefit the country’s economy and environment.

He told reporters after the committee met with officials of the ministry that uranium exploration was a very delicate issue worldwide and his committee wanted to ensure the mineral did not turn out to be a curse for the country.

“We want to make sure that the environment and the country’s security are looked at…uranium is among the most sought after minerals, and we must take precautions,” the Bumbuli MP said.

Records show that the government agreed with Mantra, under the company’s flagship Mkuju River Project, to explore the existence of uranium in southern Tanzania.The firm has confirmed the presence of multiple thick zones of sandstone-hosted uranium mineralisation at shallow wells in the Nyota Prospect.An inferred mineral resource of 35.9 million pounds (U3O8) is estimated for the prospect.

This initial resource estimate is based on drilling that covers only a small part of the total area of prospecting, and a potential exists to substantially grow the resource base with ongoing work. On the other hand, Uranex is working at Bahi area for Dodoma and Manyoni projects with an estimated 6.7 million pounds.Tanzania is believed to have about 53.9 million pounds of uranium oxide deposits. http://thecitizen.co.tz/news/-/19265-committee-wants-to-see-contracts-for-uranium

January 27, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AFRICA, Uranium | Leave a comment

Uranium mining in Africa on a downward spiral

The signals of a troubled uranium sector are manifest. On Tuesday Areva wrote down the performance of its African mines, including Trekkopje and suspended further development.

Fukushima still haunts uranium producers, The Southern Times, South Africa, 30 Dec 11 International prices of uranium, the major feedstock in nuclear reactors, have remained flat; averaging US$53 per pound as the market struggles to shrug off the effects of Japan’s nuclear crisis earlier this year.

Market analysts are warning that shrinking order books, a flat spot price and production cutbacks – largely attributable to the Fukushima disaster – will haunt uranium producers well into 2012.

A sluggish US economy and sovereign debt problems in advanced economies will continue to severely impact the uranium spot price. Global uranium stocks have significantly underperformed during 2011 and analysts attribute this to the diminishing appetite for nuclear energy after the horror of Fukushima. Continue reading →

January 6, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, South Africa, Uranium | Leave a comment

Uranium mining harmful to Tanzania, benefits only foreign investors

companies mining uranium had never solved problems associated with extraction of the minerals and also they had never employed good way of settling remains of the minerals after the mining activity is complete.

that mining activities benefited more investors than Tanzanians.

“Take an example of Niger, they are now suffering from the impacts of uranium extraction, including high levels of environmental degradation,”

PP Media 28 Dec 11, “………The Legal and Human Rights Centre Legal Officer in-charge of Corporate and Environment Flaviana Charles says the metal posses dangers not only to human beings but to animals and environment.
Already companies including Mantra (T) and Uranex (T) limited are exploring the minerals in various parts including Namtumbo (Mkuju River Project) Bahi and Manyoni, a move which has been criticised by majority of the members of public including legislators.

“We have decided to take the initiative to raise awareness to the public on this new mineral expected to start being mined in the country,” says Charles. Continue reading →

December 29, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AFRICA, environment, Uranium | Leave a comment

Africa: investment in renewable energy $3.6 billion and growing

Investment in Africa’s renewable energy hits $3.6b The Nation, By Franca Ochigbo, Abuja 22 Dec 11 Over $3.6 billion has been invested in renewable energy in Africa, including Nigeria, with Egypt and Kenya taking centre stage. The Bank of Industry (BoI) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has unveiled plans to boost Nigeria’s investment portfolio in renewable energy through private sector participation.

The Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Ms Evelyn Oputu who was represented by Mr Austin Jo-Madugu, General Manager, Operations, disclosed this during the First Renewable Energy Investment Forum in Abuja. She said renewable energy has a large potential for growth given the large gap between energy demand and supply and the enormous renewable energy options available to the country……
http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/business/30662-investment-in-africa%E2%80%99s-renewable-energy-hits-$3.6b.html

December 22, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AFRICA, renewable | Leave a comment

Three major companies stepping back from uranium mining

After Fukushima, suddenly the expected darling of local mining investment, has turned into a pariah. Both the Areva and Marenica statements refer to events after Fukushima, highlighting the uncertainty that has entered the industry since the nuclear disaster in Japan……

Perhaps it is a case of both Kalahari Mineral and Extract Resources taking what they can get and opting out of an industry that is fast turning into a lame duck. [or a dead cat – I haven’t got a picture of a lame duck]

Namibia Economist 16 Dec 11 When three major players in one industry, all announce substantial shifts in strategy and/or focus in a very short span, it signals a fundamental change in the underlying assumptions. These past two weeks saw one surprise after another as first Extract Resources, then Marenica, and finally Areva announced a dramatic turn in their strategies which probably points to a change of heart and a significant reappraisal of prospects and strategies. Continue reading →

December 16, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AFRICA, business and costs, Uranium | Leave a comment

AREVA’s loss making uranium projects halted, in Africa and USA

Areva halts Trekkopje uranium development, The Namibian, By: JO-MARÉ DUDDY, 14 Dec 11 AREVA yesterday said it was putting its investment in the US$1 billion Trekkopje uranium project on hold as the French nuclear fuel and services giant braced itself for a worldwide loss of up to US$2 billion for 2011.
Central to Areva’s financial woes is a provision for an asset write-down of US$1,97 billion for property and equipment at its UraMin operations, which include Trekoppje as well as Bakouma in the Central African Republic and Ryst Kuil in South Africa.
In addition, state-owned Areva slashed its uranium resource estimates at Trekkopje by nearly 42 per cent. ….

The company’s investment freeze also includes shelving a controversial nuclear enrichment plant project in Idaho in the US. Areva would cut its total investments by 34 per cent over the 2012-16 period, compared to the period 2007-11, Oursel said.

December 15, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AFRICA, business and costs, Uranium, USA | Leave a comment

Durban: thousands of protesters demand action on climate change

Thousands march in Durban for climate justice, ABC News 4 Dec 11 thousands of people have marched through the streets of Durban calling for “climate justice”. Their appeal was aimed at diplomats locked in negotiations under the 194-nation UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is tasked with beating back the ever-mounting threat of global warming.

The crowd of around 6,500 snaked through the coastal city’s downtown area shouting and singing against a backdrop of drums and vuvuzelas, the high-decibel plastic trumpets that gained worldwide notoriety when South Africa hosted the football World Cup.

Many in the crowd lashed out at the UN talks, which end next Friday, saying that they were moving too slowly in the face of potentially catastrophic impacts of climate change, and that many of the solutions proposed lean too heavily on the market…. Continue reading →

December 5, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, South Africa | Leave a comment

South African government owes people an explanation for its decision on dirty, costly, nuclear energy

“The government owes its citizens an answer as to why it is choosing a dangerous and expensive solution, when it has an abundance of renewable energy sources such as solar,” says Ferrial Adam, Greenpeace Africa climate and energy campaigner.

“Nuclear energy is a dangerous distraction from the clean energy development needed to prevent catastrophic climate change. Nuclear power simply delivers too little, too late, and at too high a price for people and the environment.”

Nuclear: Part of the solution – or the problem?, FT, By Siseko Njobeni, 1 Dec 11 “.. Under the plan, about 9,600MW new nuclear capacity should be commissioned up to that period. This has set in motion the jockeying for what will certainly be one of the biggest capital projects in South Africa. The planned nuclear programme could be worth R400bn, according to Nelisiwe Magubane, director-general at the department of energy. Continue reading →

December 3, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, South Africa | Leave a comment

Renewable energy investment in South Africa

South Africa Becoming a Renewable Energy Hub Afribiz, Dec 1 South Africa is fast becoming a preferred renewable energy investment destination for both private and public sector investors – good news for the country’s growing electricity demands, emerging clean energy sector and the economy.

The World Bank recently approved a $250-million (R1.5- billion) loan to South African power utility Eskom to develop a wind and solar plant, which will help the country reduce its reliance on coal-based power generation.

The World Bank, which granted the funding through its Clean Technology Fund, will finance a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Upington in the Northern Cape province and a 100-megawatt wind power project north of Cape Town in the Western Cape…. http://www.afribiz.info/content/south-africa-becoming-a-renewable-energy-hub

December 1, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, South Africa | Leave a comment

South Africa’s huge nuclear power tender, but will there be graft?

R1tn nuclear tender raises graft fears, Times Live South Africa, ANNA MAJAVU | 24 November, 2011 Concern is mounting about the government’s planned R1-trillion nuclear power station tender, with opposition parties demanding reassurances from Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe that the tender will not be “mired in corruption” like the R70-billion arms deal.

It will be the biggest tender ever issued in South Africa . “The multibillion-rand arms deal, which was just a fraction of this cost, was mired in corruption,” said DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko. “There are reports that the government is being strongly lobbied about this tender by companies such as Areva and Westinghouse who are desperate to get in on the action.”….

African Christian Democratic Party MP Cheryllyn Dudley asked if the government had budgeted money for handling nuclear waste, which remains hazardous for more than 200000 years…. The cabinet approved a 20-year energy plan for South Africa in March. It stipulates that 23% of the energy supply be derived from nuclear power.

Parliament’s portfolio committee on energy visited France last year and met representatives of nuclear energy corporation Areva. They told the MPs that their company was ready to build six nuclear power plants in South Africa. http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2011/11/24/r1tn-nuclear-tender-raises-graft-fears

November 24, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, politics, South Africa | Leave a comment

Parliamentarians taking up the cause of South Africa’s sick former nuclear workers

Political allies for past and present nuclear workers Workers at Necsa are not alone. Support for their plight is at hand. The New Age Mel Frykberg, 10 Nov 11 Former nuclear workers who have died or are suffering ill health, allegedly from working at the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa’s (Necsa) nuclear complex, have found an ally in the DA’s new chief whip.

Wattie Watson, who was sworn in yesterday, has pledged to speed up answers to Parliamentary questions, including those affecting the nuclear workers. “I support the establishment of an independent enquiry into the former nuclear workers’ case,” Gareth Morgan, the DA shadow minister of water and environmental affairs told The New Age. “These workers haven’t received a fair hearing and we want to know how the government is going to respond,” said Morgan.

Watson said at the top of his priority list would be a request to Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to pressure government ministers to respond to unanswered questions raised in Parliament. Labour Minister Nelisiwe Mildred Oliphant was asked on July 1 how many workers at Necsa’s Pelindaba, Koeberg and Ithuba laboratories had applied for occupational health compensation since inception and how many had applied annually.

The minister was further asked about the number of successful applications, the number who had received compensation, the amount compensated and the names of the recipients. To date, the DA has still not received a response despite the Parliamentary custom of responding in writing within 10 days.

The Habitat Council, the Pelindaba Working Group (PWG), comprising antinuclear activists and former workers, Earthlife Africa and former Atteridgeville workers, have also called for an independent enquiry, particularly into “Necsa’s suspect rebuttal of workers’ sicknesses”.
The public protector is investigating the case but told The New Age that more medical files were needed to support the compensation claims. However, Judith Taylor, Earthlife Africa Johannesburg’s coordinator, said that the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), the nuclear watchdog, was largely to blame for the stalemate.

Mariette Liefferlink, a NNR board member, who expressed concern in her capacity as an activist and the CEO of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment, is deeply concerned by the plight of former nuclear workers. http://thenewage.co.za/34642-1007-53-Political_allies_for_past_and_present_nuclear_workers

November 11, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | health, South Africa | 1 Comment

« Previous Entries Next Entries »