Uranium mining becoming dangerous, in Africa
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.”…..Canadian, Australian and Chinese companies challenge the monopoly in Niger held by France’s state-owned nuclear giant, Areva……. Continue reading
Australian uranium company pulls out of Niger
Niger kidnappings puts Paladin Energy off NGM bid, Fri Sep 24, 2010 SYDNEY, Sept 24 (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. Niger kidnappings puts Paladin Energy off NGM bid | Metals & Mining | Reuters
Australia’s uranium industry – not much appeal for investors
A quick trawl through the uranium listed companies reveals that many have gone very quiet.
All quiet on the uranium front The Australian September 23, ANYONE else think the uranium sector has gone – if not deathly quiet – then pretty damned subdued? Continue reading
Long term uranium market not looking good
“There are a lot of projects on the drawing board that will have trouble getting into production or will be delayed”…we will probably need to see stronger prices.”…..
The “long-term” price “is really the more important indicator when it comes to supporting new project development, rather than the spot price,
Uranium Miners Need 25% Price Advance for Expansion Incentive, Rio Says, Bloomberg, By Anna Stablum – Sep 23, 2010 Uranium must rise 25 percent to give mining companies an incentive to start or expand projects Continue reading
Another annual loss for uranium explorer Toro Energy
the result included a $13.95 million non-cash impairment resulting from decisions to cease exploration activities over 16 tenements……..
Toro posts $16m loss, writes down $13m, Sydney Morning Herald, September 16, 2010 Uranium explorer Toro Energy Ltd has reported a full year net loss, but says it is making progress to start construction of its Wiluna mine in WA in 2012. Continue reading
al-Qaida kidnaps AREVA’s uranium workers 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, Continue reading
Martin Ferguson represents uranium lobby, not Australian public
Mr Ferguson’s determination to override environmental processes had him putting investors ahead of the Australian public. “These processes catch not just risks to the environment but risks during transport, to public health, occupational health and safety, and heritage,” …
“The minister is quite brazenly telling the market these things will be shouldered aside.”
Uranium push at environment’s expense, Sydney Morning Herald, September 22, 2010 Continue reading
Marius Kloppers – Australia’s new Climate Change Minister?
described Kloppers as the climate change minister who wasn’t voted in by the public.
Kloppers under fire, The Age, September 22, 2010 AN ONLINE entrepreneur has accused the federal government of kowtowing to the boss of Australia’s biggest company. Continue reading
Uranium mining advocates oversee Australia’s tax policy
The high-ranking group, headed up by Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and former BHP chairman Don Argus, will consult with industry groups and hopes to have at least a couple of key issues resolved by the end of the year…..
Mining chiefs to advise minister on mineral resources tax | The Australian September 20, 2010 THE policy transition group overseeing the government’s mineral resources rent tax has met for the first time in Canberra today. Continue reading
Martin Ferguson – Australia’s Minister For the Uranium Industry?
Labor to expand uranium mining: report Business Spectator, 22 Sep 2010 The federal government will support uranium mining but not nuclear power, Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson told The Australian Financial Review. Mr Ferguson said he aims to oversee a large expansion of the uranium industry…..The stance threatens to create divisions in parliament. Recently the Green Party said it would use its power to try to stop planned uranium mines, phase out three existing mines and halt exports……Labor to expand uranium mining: report | News | Business Spectator
Huge Berlin anti nuclear protest attracts German youth
thousands of young people joined in as well, along with many middle-of-the road Germans who had never been at a protest before….the protest is a strong signal that a broad spectrum of Germans is opposed to extending nuclear lifetimes,
Most Germans Don’t Want Nuclear Power’ – SPIEGEL ONLINE , 20 Sept 10, Anti-nuclear campaigners demonstrating in Berlin on Saturday sent a powerful message of opposition to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s plan to extend the lifetimes of German reactors. Media commentators say she would be unwise to ignore it, because her own supporters don’t want nuclear power either. Continue reading
Be wary on Silex nuclear company’s solar credentials
I see Silex in the news, below, as a contender for building Victoria’s solar plant. I don’t know if they are connected to TRUenergy. Silex makes the controversial, rather dangerous laser technology for uranium enrichment.
Australian uranium enrichment group Silex Systems’ subsidiary, SilexSolar, spotted the bargain and managed to purchase the plant from BP Solar in 2009
RBS Morgans analyst Scott Power says solar accounts for less than 10 per cent of the firm’s Silex valuation. – Christina Macpherson 22 Sept 10
USA, Eu – nuclear industry stalling due to wastes problem
On Wednesday last week, Greenpeace launched a broadside against the European repository plans, arguing that leaders were being misled over safety issues – particularly relating to groundwater contamination. It appears the repository battle is about to go nuclear here, too.
President Barack Obama’s Yucca Mountain decision is a blow to US nuclear power- Telegraph UK, By Garry White 20 Sep 2010, Continue reading
Coal and nuclear lobbies at odds now?
For decades the fossil fuel lobby has been using their very effective tactic of “sowing doubt” about global warming and climate change. It has worked well for them – to “Divide and Conquer” public opinion.
Now – it could be their undoing. Their plan was surely to keep coal going until a smooth transition to nuclear.
Well – it hasn’t worked. While the fossil fuel lobby tries to discredit global warming, their previous ally, the nuclear lobby, now says that human-caused climate change is real!
“Divide and Conquer” now seems to be working against these lobbies, as their own doubts rebound against them.
Meanwhile – reality is coming home to the nuclear/uranium lobby – as the nuclear industry stalls in USA, UK, Germany, France, India, .. The more experience a country has had with nuclear technology, the more opposition arises to it.
Uranium interests, not the public’s, served by BHP’s Marius Kloppers
A tax would favour international nuclear electricity generators and boost pressure to overturn Australia’s ban on nuclear generators. Both effects would aid BHP’s uranium interests.
BHP Billiton chief Marius Kloppers knows how to look after his shareholders’ interests, Paul Kerin The Australian, September 20, 2010 BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers’ touting of a carbon tax serves his shareholders’ interests — not the public’s. Continue reading
1 This month
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