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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

Radiation exposure of South African nuclear workers

Koeberg radiation leak being probed: News24: South Africa: News, 15 Oct 10, Pretoria – The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) says it has launched a probe into an incident last month at Koeberg nuclear power station in which 91 workers were exposed to radiation……. Continue reading

October 16, 2010 Posted by | health, South Africa | , , , | Leave a comment

Coalition Against Nuclear Energy speaks out in South Africa

“The solution to South Africa’s energy crisis is decentralised power, where regions are able to establish their own renew- able-energy plants that are suitable to their terrain and conditions. This will not only create local jobs, but will also allow excess power to be fed into the grid.”
Concerns about a nuclear powered South Africa, Engineering News, By: Tracy Hancock 8th October 2010 “………local umbrella group Coalition Against Nuclear Energy (Cane) believes that there are many unanswered questions pertaining to the use of nuclear energy as an answer to South Africa’s electricity crisis. Continue reading

October 8, 2010 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, South Africa | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Insurance for losses related to nuclear reactors – no way!

it is very clear that general insurance will not cover coastal property owners from losses related to nuclear plants.

NO INSURANCE FOR COASTAL – or any – PROPERTY NEAR NUCLEAR REACTORS | Coalition Against Nuclear Energy 4 oct 10, Energy Minister Dupuo Peters said that by the time a nuclear plant was constructed in SA, this country would not be able to afford enriched uranium.She also raised the valid point that coastal homes would be affected, since nuclear power plants would be built on the coast. Continue reading

October 4, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, South Africa | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

South Africa says no to South Korea nuclear power deal

S.Africa will not sign S.Korea nuclear power deal: official, Google hosted news, (AFP) 4 Oct 10, JOHANNESBURG — South Africa said Sunday it would not sign an agreement with South Korea to design and build nuclear power plants in the African country, dismissing an earlier report, the foreign ministry said.South Africa’s Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is due in Seoul on Friday “to discuss our bilateral relations in general”, spokesman Saul Molobi for the foreign ministry said.”Motlanthe is not going to sign any deal… We are not going to discuss any possibility for South Africa to buy a nuclear plant,” he added.

AFP: S.Africa will not sign S.Korea nuclear power deal: official

October 3, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, South Africa | , | Leave a 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

Low uranium price stops building of new plant

R3.5bn uranium project hit by price slump., Brendan Ryan , 22 Sep 2010 [miningmx.com] — CONSTRUCTION of the proposed R3.5bn Rand Uranium plant to be built near Randfontein could be delayed because of current low uranium prices
That’s according to Harmony CEO, Graham Briggs, who was replying to a question posed after his presentation to the Denver Gold Forum being held in Denver, Colorado. Harmony holds a 40% stake in the unlisted Rand Uranium into which it injected assets formerly belonging to the Cooke and Randfontein sections of the Randfontein mine including the high uranium grade Cooke tailings dump. Uranium prices have been depressed for the past 18 months….

September 24, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, South Africa, Uranium | , , , | Leave a comment

Death of the Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactor

economic realities make any tangible future Pebble Bed as a major source of new energy largely imaginary.

(South Africa) Another feeble-headed nuke drops dead Harvey Wasserman September 24, 2010
For years “expert” reactor backers have touted the “Pebble Bed” design as an “inherently safe” alternative to traditional domed light water models. Now its South African developers say they’re done pouring money into it.  Continue reading

September 24, 2010 Posted by | South Africa, technology | , , , , , | 1 Comment

For South Africa, more jobs in renewables than in coal

Renewable energy offers more jobs than coal | West Cape News, 24 Sept 10, Focussing on renewable energy initiatives would not only make South Africa more energy secure, it would create more jobs than alternative coal dependent scenarios and save hundreds of billions of rands over the long term. Continue reading

September 24, 2010 Posted by | renewable, South Africa | , , | 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