French uranium workers in danger in Niger
Areva said it had stepped up security around its sites in Niger, where some 2,500 people are employed, including around 50 French citizens, in the operation of two huge uranium mines.
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
Warning on radiation hazard of Whyalla rare earths processing
“there are hazards related to the processing of these rare earths, not the least of which is radiation.”.
Australian Greens sounds grave alarm on Whyalla rare earths processing in SA – International Business Times, By Ricky Roxas | September 27, 2010 Australian Greens sounds grave alarm on Whyalla rare earths processing in SAThe Australian Greens party voiced out its concerns on Monday that the South Australian government may be rushing too much on the proposed rare earths processing plant in Whyalla following the state’s move of giving major project status to the planned $1 billion rare earths facility by Arafura Resources Ltd (ASX: ARU). Continue reading
Wobbly Word of the Week – “Rare Earths”
Yes – Rare Earths – What are they? The title sounds innocuous, and there’s no doubt that some “rare earths” are essential to many of today’s technology items.
It’s just that we should not lose sight of the radiation problems involved in mining and processing rare earths, nor let them slip under the radar as pro-uranium governments, like South Australia’s , promote the nuclear fuel cycle
Well, take the Arafura project below – this project includes a (small) commercial quantity of uranium product, and a large volume of thorium waste, enriched to ten times the radioactivity of the ore.
Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan – a bad idea that now might fail
The legislation for the dump, which would solve Australia’s waste storage problem to the detriment of some traditional owners who oppose the Northern Territory development, must now pass a trickier Lower House.
Greens hit back at Govt uranium plans | Perth Now September 22, 2010“.….conservationists are pleased they have bought more time on the controversial Muckaty waste dump. Continue reading
Uranium company sued over radioactive waste
The creek contains uranium levels as high as 310 parts per billion, which is more than 10 times the 30 ppb health standard for drinking water.
(USA) Group Sues Over Cotter Corp. Uranium Mill Cleanup – cbs4denver.com, Sep 22, 201 DENVER (AP) ― A citizens group has filed a lawsuit accusing Colorado regulators of failing to require Cotter Corp. to set aside enough money to clean up its uranium mill in Canon City. 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
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
Health effects of uranium mining in India
Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD), an affiliate of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize recipient International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, conducted a health survey in 2007 that looked at 2,118 families within 2.5 km of the mines.It found that 9.5 percent of newborns die each year due to extreme physical deformities…….
Uranium mines afecting health of workers and local communities, India Info Online, 20 Sept 10, AT BANDUHURANG, there are no prohibitory signs, no warnings about radiation, no barbed wire and no demarcation of territory. Continue reading
USA looks like giving up on selling nukes to India
the chances of altering how the legislation works appear to be dimming….it looks increasingly likely that the Obama visit will center instead around job-creating deals for the U.S………..Nowhere did the statement contain a reference to the nuclear deal.
U.S. Chances Dim on India Nuclear Revision – India Real Time – WSJ, by Paul Beckett, September 20, 2010, As we reported recently, the U.S. government and nuclear-equipment industry have been scrambling to alter the impact of nuclear-liability legislation passed by the Indian parliament that the U.S. side views as unfavorable to U.S. nuclear suppliers … Continue reading
How uranium mining poisoned the Navajo
investigative journalist Judy Pasternak comprehensively recounts in her chilling new book, “Yellow Dirt: An American Story of a Poisoned Land and a People Betrayed.”
“Yellow Dirt”: Radioactive reservation, The shocking story of how industry and government poisoned and then abandoned the Navajo Nation, Salon.com, Laura Miller, 19 Sept 10,
In the summer of 1979, an earthen dam over the town of Church Rock, Utah, broke, flooding the arroyo below and then the bed of the Rio Puerco (an intermittent stream) on the southern border of the Navajo Nation. It was a small flood, but a dangerous one. It burned the feet of a boy who stepped into it, and caused sheep and crops along the banks to drop dead. Continue reading
Uranium injustice – AREVA’s history in Niger
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
Large scale study shows cancers from ionising radiation
The association between radiation exposure and risk of second cancers was particularly significant for radiation-sensitive cancers, such as those of the lung, colon, breast, thyroid and bladder, as well as leukemia.
Pro nukes stack Western Australia’s uranium study panel
We still do not know whether or how key issues – such as workers’ health and safety, tailings rehabilitation, transport and groundwater impacts – will be addressed by the panel. We fear that crucial issues, such as impacts on workers’ health and communities and nuclear weapons proliferation, will not be addressed at all.
The panel excludes experts in relevant areas such as occupational health and safety, transport, Aboriginal heritage and native title, non-proliferation and safeguards.
Uranium industry’s record raises doubts, The West Australian, By Mia Pepper, September 16th, 2010, The Barnett Government recently announced that the Australian Centre for Geomechanics had won a tender to form an “independent panel on uranium mining regulations”. Sitting on the panel are pro-nuclear lobbyists and behind the scenes are corporate sponsors including some that are anything but independent.
BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are two of the sponsors – companies with operating uranium mines in Australia and uranium interests in WA. Continue reading
Nuclear power financially dangerous for India, and USA
Indians have little to gain from caving to U.S. pressure….nuclear electricity is still one of the most uneconomical ways for it to meet its near and mid-term power requirements……..
India Unmasks America’s Nuclear Liabilities – WSJ.com, * SEPTEMBER 13, 2010 Private companies should insure themselves, not ask Delhi to do it for them. By HENRY SOKOLSKI Continue reading
South Australian Liberal Party will reject uranium mining in Arkaroola Wilderness
- “The state Liberal Party has decided very clearly that it will reject any move by the State Government to change the environmental status of Arkaroola
- Isobel Redmond vows to block uranium mining in the Arkaroola mining Adelaide Now, Daniel Wills, September 14, 2010 OPPOSITION Leader Isobel Redmond has declared her party will block any future moves to allow uranium mining in the Arkaroola Wildness Sanctuary. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 