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(last updated 29 Jun 2009)
holds a symposium on the uranium resources in the country and their valorization.
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Mount Burgess Mining NL ,
African Energy Resources (Guernsey) Ltd ,
A-Cap Resources Ltd ,
Aquentium, Inc. ,
Mootah Energetic Pty. Ltd.,
Impact Minerals Ltd ,
Cardia Technologies Ltd ,
Cam Bow Holdings (Pty) Ltd
EIA Progress:
"The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Letlhakane Uranium Project commenced in late January 2009. The EIA studies are designed to run for twelve months to collect important environmental data from the three climatic seasons in Botswana. To date the specialist studies for AquaticWildlife and Radiation Background have commenced data collection.
Public participation and information meetings have been held at the local villages of Gojwane and Serule. A further meeting for local government officials has been held at the Tonota District Land Board. These compulsory meetings are a crucial stepping stone in the EIA process where local communities have the right to learn about the planned development. No objections from the local communities were registered during the process."
(A-Cap Resources Ltd March 16, 2009)
On Oct. 17, 2008, A-Cap Resources Ltd released the result of a scoping study conducted by SRK Consulting. The preferred project option comprises the mining of 45 million tonnes of ore (at a grade of 180 ppm U3O8 [0.0153% U]) containing 18 million lbs U3O8 [6,923 t U]. The target annual production rate at an assumed leaching recovery of 80% is 2.2 million lbs U3O8 [846 t U].
> Calculate Mine Feasibility
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Crossland Uranium Mines Ltd ,
Crosscontinental Uranium Limited ,
Southern Cross Exploration NL ,
Longreach Oil Ltd
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Resource Generation Ltd ,
African Aura Resources Ltd. ,
Ridgeway Energy Ltd
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Xenon S.A.,
Les Mines De Centrafrique (CAR)
Areva signs uranium mining deal with Central African Republic:
On Aug. 1, 2008, French nuclear group Areva signed a deal with the Central African Republic government to mine uranium at a previously disputed site, officials said.
The mine at Bakouma in the east of the Central African Republic (CAR) is due to start delivering uranium in 2010, with optimal production expected over the first three years, Areva chief executive Anne Lauvergeon added.
The deal ends friction between Areva and CAR, which handed mining rights to British-Canadian firm UraMin in 2006.
Areva bought out UraMin in July 2007, to the displeasure of the CAR government which said the "irregular" sale showed "disregard for the rights and interests" of the Central African people.
(AFP Aug. 1, 2008)
The Bakouma project in the Central African Republic is due to launch production in the fourth quarter of 2009, with an average production at 2600 tons a year. (Business Day March 30, 2007)
On Jan. 11, 2007, UraMin Inc. announced that GRD Minproc (Pty) Ltd., a subsidiary of GRD Ltd, has been appointed to undertake Consulting and Engineering Services for the completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study at its Bakouma Uranium Project in the Central African Republic.
Areva CEO Anne Lauvergeon has signed an agreement with Congolese Minister of Mines, Martin Kabwelulu, on uranium prospecting and mining. The agreement includes the creation of a mixed commission tasked with developing a technical prospecting program. The work to be jointly performed by the parties will kick off with a detailed inventory of mining sites and update of all databases. (AFP March 26, 2009)
Areva is considering a deal giving it rights to explore for uranium in DR Congo's southern Katanga province. Chief Executive Officer Anne Lauvergeon will be accompanying French President Nicolas Sarkozy when he visits the central African country this week. (Bloomberg March 25, 2009)
signed a contract for uranium exploitation in Congo in a partnership with the government.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire / Belgian Congo) is suspected of trying to reopen the Shinkolobwe uranium mine with help from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea). The two countries are closely cooperating in the military field and this cooperation could have been expanded to nuclear issues. During World War II, the mine had provided the uranium for the first US nuclear bombs. (Die Tageszeitung Aug 3, 1999)
On Feb. 7, 2000, North Korea denied media reports that it might be importing uranium from Congo to manufacture nuclear weapons. (AP Feb. 7, 2000)
A small plane belonging to the Egyptian government's Nuclear Materials Authority crashed over northern Egypt on Jan. 15, 2008, killing two pilots, security sources and state media said. Security sources said the plane crashed in the town of Port Said, located at the northern entrance to the Suez Canal. The sources and state news agency MENA said the aircraft was on a reconnaissance flight. MENA said the aircraft was used to detect radioactivity and to search for metals, including uranium, in the Gulf of Suez and the Egyptian desert. (Reuters Jan. 15, 2008)
In Gabon, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by Areva, Motapa Diamonds Inc. , Pitchstone Exploration Ltd. , Cameco Corp.
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Toro Energy Ltd.,
Contico
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PAM Atomique Sarl ,
UMC Energy plc. ,
Pencari Mining Corporation ,
Minvest Madagascar SA,
Haddington Resources Ltd ,
Red Island Resources,
Uranium Star Corp. ,
Malagasy Minerals Ltd
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Globe Metals & Mining Ltd ,
African Energy Resources (Guernsey) Ltd ,
Mantra Resources Ltd,
Oropa Ltd ,
Resource Star Ltd ,
Eastbourne Exploration Pty Ltd ,
Lisungwe plc
Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Citizens for Justice Malawi (CFJ) oppose the development of uranium mines in Malawi.
Locals want stake in Kayelekera uranium mine:
The Indigenous Business Association of Malawi (Ibam) has called on the Malawi government to sell part of its 15 percent stake in Kayelekela Uranium Mine in Karonga to local Malawians.
But Ministry of Finance says it was too early to start talking about privatisation of government shares in the company.
Ibam president Mike Mlombwa said in an interview the Kayelekera mine is an important project for the economic development of the country and that local Malawians themselves should be fully involved in the investment to have a sense of ownership of the venture.
(Daily Times April 22, 2009)
Malawi right watchdog, Catholic Church voice on Uranium mine: Malawi's Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace has accused Australian-based uranium miner Paladin Energy of back tracking on pledges to the people of the Karonga region where it operates the Kayelekera Uranium Mine. The commission, a human rights arm of the Roman Catholic Church, has called for a meeting with the miners and traditional chiefs after accusing the energy company of not doing enough to protect water sources from uranium deposits. The group fears the deposits could pollute Lake Malawi, one of Africa's fresh water areas and the third largest lake on the continentAnd the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) has called for the review of all mining agreements including reviewing of the whole mining tax regime. (Nyasa Times April 22, 2009)
The Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga, which is expected to be officially commissioned by President Bingu wa Mutharika on April 17, 2009, comes as a big boost to the country foreign currency account which is currently facing uncertainty largely because of the economic crunch crippling its major export destinations.
Reserve Bank Governor Victor Mbewe is on record to have said that once Paladin starts exports, uranium will account for about 30 percent of the country’s exports, currently dominated by tobacco, tea and sugar.
In fact, at US$200 million in annual foreign currency earnings, the mineral will instantly become the country’s second largest foreign earner after tobacco.
(The Daily Times April 17, 2009)
Malawi police fire teargas at workers at Kayelekera mine construction site; operations disrupted, managers evacuated:
There was mayhem Wednesday (March 18, 2009) morning at Paladin's Kayelekera Uranium Mining in Karonga district when armed police ruthlessly fired teargas at workers.
The workers, mostly casual labours, are on a sit-in since Tuesday to pressure management for better working conditions and adjustment of their perks.
(Nyasa Times March 18, 2009)
The strike forced Paladin Africa Limited management to temporarily shut down the mine and evacuate its senior managers to Lilongwe.
(The Nation March 19, 2009)
Three workers seriously burnt at Kayelekera mine construction site:
A fire seriously burnt three workers on Monday (March 16, 2009).
Three workers were on Tuesday airlifted to an undisclosed better hospital in South Africa for advanced treatment after spending a night at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre.
(Nyasa Times March 18, 2009)
On March 20, 2009, Paladin confirmed "the death of one of three sub-contractors injured in a flash fire at the Kayelekera Uranium Project construction site in Malawi on Monday, 16th March".
On April 6, 2009, Paladin advised that "a second sub-contractor has succumbed to injuries received in a flash fire at the Kayelekera Uranium Project construction site in Malawi on Monday, 16 March".
A new Technical Report dated Jan. 5, 2009, discloses a massive increase in costs for mining of the Kayelekera deposit. Compared to previous estimates (Technical Report dated March 16, 2007), total capital cost increases by 64% to US$ 303 million, while operating cost increases by 44% to US$ 28 per lb U3O8 produced.
The Commission for Justice and Peace of the Roman Catholic diocese of Mzuzu in northern Malawi has launched a project to monitor uranium mining in the country, and will begin by focusing its attention on Paladin Energy Limited's Kayelekera mine in Karonga. (Ecumenical News International Sep. 17, 2008)
Labour dispute at Kayelekera mining site: Junior rank workers Kayerekera Uranium mining site in Karonga have threatened to down tools over low perks. "We are demanding increased pay and good working conditions," said one of the workers who opted for anonymity. Reports indicate that the junior workers, mostly drivers, welders, builders, messengers, among others, had a meeting with management over the issue but nothing positive came out. Another meeting was expected this week to try and sort out the issue. (Nyasa Times June 6, 2008)
Commissioning of Malawi's Kayelekera uranium project should start in December 2008, says Paladin Energy Managing Director John Borshoff.
Production ramp-up is scheduled for early next 2009.
Borshoff says the road has been cleared for Paladin to go ahead with the project, following last year's near court battle to halt mine development, as several non-governmental organisations voiced their concerns over uranium-mining in the Karonga region.
Borshoff says the company has resolved all outstanding social issues in an amicable manner, enabling the Kayelekera project to proceed unhindered.
The terms of the settlement include the establishment of a civil society organisation, which will form part of a monitoring team, which will ensure Paladin meets its environmental and health obligations.
(Nyasa Times Feb. 28, 2008)
Government and Paladin Africa Limited have come up with an environmental bond that will see the company save funds to cater for any environmental damage the extraction of the mineral will cause. Former Energy and Mines Minister Henry Chimunthu Banda said this on Feb. 6, 2008, when members of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources toured the Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga. Chimunthu Banda, who was transferred to the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Housing in Feb. 8's cabinet reshuffle, said Paladin will open an account with one of local banks with an amount that will be quantified yearly and expected to increase depending on the environmental damage that will take place. "The idea is that at any time the mine closes, there has to be money to address environmental issues. Regarding the welfare of people, it is a requirement that at the time of entry into the mine, every worker has to undergo medical check up and records have to be kept and verified by government." (Malawi Nation Feb. 11, 2008)
One of the critical logistical problems facing the Kayelekera mining project is delay in construction of the highly politicised Karonga-Chitipa road that connects the project's site to Karonga, Deputy Minister of Irrigation and Water Development Frank Mwenefumbo said. He said the road project was moving at snail's pace resulting in the delay in commencement of the mining at Kayelekera. (The Daily Times Jan. 18, 2008)
Malawi Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe said the southern African nation is expected to earn more than a billion dollars over the next decade from uranium mining, which kicks off next year. "The IMF and our treasury officials say, at current prices, uranium could generate output for a decade worth about $1.6 billion," Gondwe told Reuters. "This is the overall amount the Malawi government is estimated to make as revenue from its 15 percent stake in the uranium project." Gondwe said that uranium is also expected to raise the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by 10 percent and increase exports by 25 percent over the ten years. Malawi's GDP is about $2 billion. (Reuters 9 Jan 2008)
The Malawi Ministry of Energy and Mining has refuted media reports that the out-of-court settlement that some Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) agreed with Malawi government and Paladin Africa Limited over the uranium mining project at Kayerekera in Karonga district were a result of death threats received by members of the involved NGO's. (Nyasa Times Dec. 3, 2007)
On Nov. 15, 2007, Paladin announced "that all six Malawian Civil Society Organisations that commenced legal proceedings against Paladin Africa Ltd and the Government of Malawi have now settled their action on a positive and amicable basis".
However, Malawian NGOs question the legitimacy of the settlement of the court case. NGOs coalition members unhappy with the settlement agreement have indicated they will "continue with legal action to protect the Malawian people's constitutional rights, unless and until the company is willing to enter negotiations to change its proposal in a way that addresses the flaws, gaps and problems in the project that pose serious public health and environmental risks".
> View MPI release Nov. 19, 2007
Civil society groups in Malawi have asked Paladin (Africa) to halt mining operations at Keyelekera in Karonga until legal challenges initiated by the non-governmental organizations on the mining are concluded.
Undule Mwakasungura, executive director of Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation said on Oct. 22, 2007, that Malawi does not have regulatory and controlling legislation for the mining of uranium. He said Malawi needed the legislation to protect the heritage of the people, to protect the environment and to ensure that regulation to compensate mineworkers and others who would suffer illness or injury because of uranium mining.
He said the NGOs want Paladin to ensure that royalties to Karonga be based at 4.5 percent of the gross annual revenue and an inclusive independent monitoring body consisting of MPs, traditional leaders, NGOs, government, Paladin and experts be constituted.
Mwakasungura also said the civil society wants an environmental bond to cater for environmental damages after closure of the mine and construction of a tailings dam to fill in tailings below the water table.
(The Daily Times Oct. 25, 2007)
Civil society organisations, represented by Mr Undule Mwakasungula, executive director of Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Reinford Mwangonde of Citizens for Justice (CFJ) recently met the IAEA team in Malawi; they have issued a media statement to refute the reports that also indicated that IAEA endorsed the procedures followed by Malawi government to grant Australian company, Paladin Resources, a mining licence.
A statement made available to Nyasa Times, endorsed and issued by CHRR, CFJ, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace - Mzuzu, Church & Society of Livingstonia Synod, Foundation for Community Support Services - FOCUS and Uraha Foundation Malawi - UFM, says the concerned civil society organisation met IAEA to express their concerns at the manner in which government granted a Mining Licence and approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out by Paladin, without the regulatory and controlling legislation and also without an all inclusive process involving stakeholders.
"In the strongest terms possible Mr. Peter Waggitt, a member of the IAEA team, contrary to the claims made by Paladin Africa and the government, denied that the IAEA had approved the EIA which had been prepared by Paladin Africa, and that the claim that the EIA had been approved by the IAEA, as reported by the media, in Malawi, Australia and elsewhere, was a fallacy and misleading," read a media statement.
The media statement says the IAEA clearly stated at the meeting that, in the absence of a national legal regulatory framework, which the government has not introduced: "Malawi is not ready to license or permit the mining of Uranium in Malawi".
On whether Malawi was ready to mine Uranium, the statement quotes Waggitt: "It is very necessary that all regulatory and legal frameworks has to be put in place before Uranium mining can commence, as these are radioactive materials whose mining and movement have to be controlled."
(Nyasa Times July 25, 2007)
Following a site visit by a three-member team, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sanctioned mining of uranium at Kayelekera in Karonga. The mission took place under a technical cooperation agreement. "The IAEA team applauded government in the manner it licensed Paladin Africa to mine Uranium, noting that the procedures were exhausted. The team also noted that measures put in place to safeguard lives of communities around Kayerekera mine conform to worldwide benchmarks." (The Daily Times July 19, 2007)
On May 28, 2007, Paladin Resources Ltd. announced that a group of non-government organisations (NGOs) had launched legal action against the company's subsidiary Paladin (Africa) Ltd and the government of Malawi.
On April 9, 2007, Paladin Resources Ltd. announced that the Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Resources of the Republic of Malawi has granted its wholly owned subsidiary Paladin Africa Ltd a Mining Licence for the Kayelekera Uranium Project. With environmental approval already received, this now clears the way for the construction processes to commence.
Mining Licence ML 0152 covers an area of 55.5km2 and has been granted for a term of 15 years renewable for further 10 year periods.
The Kayelekera Uranium Project is scheduled to commission in September 2008 and reach full production during the 2nd quarter of 2009. Annual production will be 3.3 Mlbs U3O8 [1269 t U].
Several NGOs seek court injunction to stop Paladin Africa from mining uranium at Kayelekera in Karonga unless the project comes out clear on its negative impact on people.
One of the organisations, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), on Wednesday said the NGOs have grouped to stop the implementation of the project because its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was not done procedurally.
"There are shortfalls highlighted in the environmental assessment report to which government has not responded, for instance, issues of protecting citizen’s rights and health."
The other organisations are the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Focus on Karonga, Citizens for Justice and the Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI).
(Malawi Nation Apr. 5, 2007)
On April 2, 2007, Paladin Resources Ltd. announced that the Kayelekera Uranium Project in Malawi has received its Notice for Environmental Approval to proceed with the Project. The environmental certificate which has been issued to Paladin (Africa) Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of Paladin, is subject to conditions of reporting, environmental management, training and compliance with Development Agreement undertakings. The EIA approval is a pre requisite for a Mining Licence for the project. (Paladin Apr. 2, 2007)
Paladin Resources' Kayelekera Uranium Project in Malawi, Africa would not be approved in Australia, conclude independent reviewers (MPI Mar. 1, 2007)
On Feb. 23, 2007, Paladin announced that through its subsidiary Paladin (Africa) Ltd it has reached agreement with the Government of Malawi to enter into a Development Agreement for the Kayelekera Uranium Project. Paladin moreover announced that after review of the Bankable Feasibility Study the Board has resolved to proceed with the development.
The Malawi Government is expected to decide on whether to allow Paladin Africa to start mining uranium at Kayelekera before end of February 2007. (The Nation Jan. 19, 2007)
Five Non-Governmental Organisations have issued a statement that opposes the exploration of uranium at Kayerekela because of the long-time side effects to the people and environment. The organisations have called on government to exercise caution in relation to uranium, as its mining remains a contaminating and controversial industry. "Uranium mining threatens Malawi's natural heritage including treasures such as Sere Stream, Rukuru River and Lake Malawi. This is an ecological disaster in waiting," said the organisations in a joint statement. The NGOs are Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, Citizens for Justice, Foundation for Community Support Services, Karonga Development Trust and Uraha Foundation. Key concerns raised by the organisations include detrimental impacts on the health of workers and nearby communities, production of large volumes of radioactive mine wastes, environmental damage and water contamination and a great chance of nuclear accidents due to tailings. (Malawi Daily Times Nov. 14, 2006)
On Oct. 5, 2006, the Draft EIA was submitted to the Malawian Department of Environmental Affairs . Interested parties were invited to submit comments within 10 weeks.
> Download Kayelekera Uranium Project, Draft Environmental Impact Assessment, September 2006 (Knight Piésold)
On Aug. 30, 2006, Malawian rights groups petitioned the government against a plan to grant a 16-year tax break to an Australian firm set to mine uranium, saying the project could be environmentally hazardous. "A 16-year tax exemption is deplorable and in bad taste when the mining life span is ten years," Undule Mwakasungura, a spokesman for a coalition of five rights groups, said, after sending the petition to the government. (Australian Aug. 30, 2006)
Knight Piésold , GRD Minproc and Paladin Resources / Paladin Africa personnel will be hosting three public consultation meetings regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment process for the proposed Kayelekera Uranium Project (Kayelekera Village: June 27, 2006, Karonga Town: June 28, 2006, Lilongwe: June 30, 2006).
The objectives of the meetings "will be to disseminate information on the project, engage public regarding the project benefits and impacts, resolve where possible any questions raised by public, and document concerns raised for inclusion in the Environmental Impact Assessment report".
The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) requests the Malawi Ministry for Mines, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs to address the environmental concerns regarding the Kayelekera uranium project with utmost caution. According to CHRR, key stakeholders in Karonga have not been informed and consulted yet. (The Nation, Malawi, Nov. 1, 2005; CHRR release Nov. 4, 2005)
Paladin Resources Limited says there are high prospects that Malawi would venture into full throttle-mining of uranium, with feasibility studies starting by May 2005. John Borshoff, managing director for Paladin Resources Limited, a company currently working on preparations for an anticipated Kayelekera uranium mine in Karonga, said in an interview prospects for the project were good. He said after the feasibility study, full time mining would start by 2008. (The Nation, Malawi, Dec. 20, 2004)
Pre-development work is reported to have begun on a new uranium mine at Kayelekera in the north of the country. Australia-based Paladin Resources expects to start production at the mine, reported to contain at least 11,600 t of 'high-grade' deposits, in 2003. [UI News Briefing 00.32, August 9, 2000]
Paladin Resources has secured an 80% interest in the Kayelekera uranium deposit in Malawi. The sandstone deposit was discovered and proved up by CEGB (UK). It has 11,700 tonnes U3O8 in 0.187% ore with in situ leach potential. Another Perth company, Balmain Resources P/L, holds title and Paladin is spending $500,0000 over three years to farm-in to the joint venture. [UIC Weekly News Summary 27 March 1998]
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Rockgate Capital Corp. ,
Oklo Uranium Ltd
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Alba Mineral Resources PLC ,
Mauritania Ventures Ltd ,
Shield Mining Ltd ,
Aura Energy Ltd ,
GCM Resources Plc.
(OCP) to develop their cooperation and research initiatives regarding extraction of uranium contained in phosphoric acid produced from Moroccan phosphate ore. Uranium resources in Moroccan phosphate deposits are estimated at around 6 million tonnes. AREVA and the OCP plan to launch a joint study into the feasibility of an industrial site producing uranium from phosphoric acid.
(Areva Oct. 23, 2007)
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Helio Resource Corp. ,
African Eagle Resources PLC ,
Mavuzi Resources Ltd ,
Teal Exploration & Mining Inc ,
Red Rock Resources PLC
signed a memorandum of understanding on nuclear cooperation with the Nigeria nuclear regulator. Among others, the memorandum foresees a cooperation in the field of uranium prospection and the development of uranium desposits.
(RIA Novosti March 18, 2009)
. The discoveries were made by the Atomic Energy Division of the British Geological Survey .
(Xinhua, Oct. 18, 2005)
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Western Metals Ltd ,
Sabre Resources Ltd ,
Uranium Hunter Corporation ,
Trimark Explorations Ltd.,
IBI Corporation ,
Gambaro Resources,
Douglas Lake Minerals Inc. ,
Canaco Resources Inc. ,
Sub-Sahara Resources NL ,
Tanganyika Uranium Corp. ,
Troll Mining Ltd,
African Eagle Resources PLC ,
Globe Metals & Mining Ltd ,
Atomic Minerals Ltd ,
Universal Power Corp. ,
International Gold Mining Limited ,
VIPR Industries Inc. ,
Minergy Tanzania Ltd (Mauritius),
Peak Resources Ltd ,
Kinti Mining Ltd ,
Kilimanjaro Mining Company, Inc.
On June 17, 2009, Mantra Resources Limited announced that the Scoping Study for its wholly owned Nyota Prospect, part of the Mkuju River Project in Tanzania, has confirmed the technical and economic viability of the Project and its capacity to operate with strong cash margins. A Pre-Feasibility Study is now underway.
> Calculate Nyota Prospect mine feasibility
> View deposit info
On June 10, 2009, Uranex NL, once again, announced the commencement of the Pre-Feasibility Study for its Manyoni Project in Central Tanzania. The study now is scheduled for completion by December 2009.
Uranex NL may start operating a mine in Tanzania's central Bahi region within two years, Chief Executive Officer John Wilfred Cottle said. Studies conducted at Manyoni, about 80 kilometers west of the capital, Dodoma, in the Bahi region show an inferred resource estimate of 6,900 metric tons of uranium oxide, Cottle said in an interview today in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. "These are very shallow deposits so we expect it to be low-cost and relatively simple to process," Cottle said. "We would like to start producing in that region in 2010." (Bloomberg Oct. 7, 2008)
On Aug. 20, 2008, Uranex NL announced the commencement of a pre-feasibility study on the Bahi uranium project in central Tanzania. The study is to be completed by December 2008.
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Canmin Resources (Uganda) Ltd ,
Uranium Hunter Corporation ,
Magnus International Resources, Inc. ,
Signature Metals Ltd
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Albidon Ltd ,
Energy Ventures Limited ,
Equinox Minerals Limited,
Omegacorp Ltd,
Denison Mines Corp.,
Zambezi Resources Ltd ,
African Energy Resources Ltd ,
Aldershot Resources Ltd.,
Lithic Metals and Energy Ltd ,
African Eagle Resources PLC ,
Kiwara Resources Ltd ,
Globe Metals & Mining Ltd
> See also: Regulatory Issues - Zambia
On May 9, 2008, Albidon Ltd and African Energy Resources Ltd announced the completion of the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) on the Chirundu Uranium JV project. The PFS demonstrates that commercially viable mining is possible under the projected price and cost scenarios [however: the current uranium spot price of US$ 63/lb U3O8 is lower than the projected uranium price...]. Mining would employ open pit mining and acid heap leaching.
On Sep. 6, 2007, joint venture partners Albidon Ltd and African Energy Resources Ltd announced the beginning of a pre-feasibility study for the Njame North deposit and Gwabe prospect. Base case for the Study is 1.4 Mlb U3O8 [538 t U] annual production over an initial five year mine plan using a uranium price of US$65/lb U3O8.
> View deposit info
Denison Mines Corp. may start mining uranium in Zambia by 2012, the Times of Zambia reported, citing Andre Goode, the company's director for Africa. About 112 families will have to be relocated to make way for the mine, the Lusaka-based newspaper reported. Toronto-based Denison, which started uranium exploration in Siavonga in southern Zambia in 2007, has invested about $23 million in the project so far, the Times of Zambia said. (Bloomberg June 29, 2009)
The government will soon open a uranium mine in Siavonga - Southern Province, according to Mines Minister, Kalombo Mwansa. (Zambia National Broadcasting Cooperation June 26, 2007)
Omega Corporation has expressed interest in opening up a uranium mine in Siavonga with an investment of 60 million U.S. dollars. According to managing director Mattew Yates, uranium deposits have so far been detected in Muntanga and Dibwii areas of Siavonga. He said the exploration project started in June 2006 and is expected to end in July 2007. Project manager David Dodd said Omega intends to start construct the uranium mine between July 2007 and October 2008 when the government issues a mining operating license which the company has already applied for. Production of uranium from the mine is expected to start in October 2008 and end in 2015 after operating for a period of seven years. (People's Daily Online Oct. 19, 2006)
Environment Council of Zambia dispels pollution allegations at Lumwana mine:
Investigations conducted by the Environment Council of Zambia (ECZ) have revealed that Lumwana East river in Solwezi was not polluted by uranium discharged by Lumwana mine as alleged by media reports.
ECZ Public Relations Officer Bwalya Nondo disclosed that ECZ have also dispelled reports of crops and other plants being burnt by alleged uranium contaminants .
He explained that a comprehensive report submitted to Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Catherine Namugala today on the reported pollution incident by Lumwana mine has revealed that there was no trace of pollution.
The Public Relations Officer disclosed that Lumwana mine has not commenced any uranium production and that, the copper extraction process does not employ a method used that requires use of sulphuric acid which could be harmful to plants in the event of pollution to the environment.
Mr. Nondo further explained that the local community was informed that Lumwana mine would be discharging water into the river and advised them not to drink it because it was dirty and muddy.
(Lusaka Times March 20, 2009)
Equinox Minerals Ltd., developing the Lumwana copper mine in Zambia, said a refining venture controlled by Glencore International AG has refused to accept its copper concentrate for delivery because of uranium contamination. Equinox has found buyers for the material on a short-term basis and is in talks with other Zambian parties for a longer-term agreement, Chief Executive Officer Craig Williams said. (Bloomberg Mar. 2, 2009)
On Jan. 7, 2009, Equinox Minerals Limited announced that "due to current difficulty in international project financing as well as current market prices for uranium oxide, the Company believes it prudent to defer the implementation of this uranium project until such conditions improve sufficiently to deliver appropriate shareholder value. In the interim, high grade uranium ore will be stockpiled at Lumwana in accordance with Zambian legislation and international best practice."
Lumwana Mining Company (LMC) said on Dec. 30, 2008, it has received the permission to proceed with its $200 million Zambia uranium project, but the decision to begin construction of processing facilities will be taken in January 2009. Managing Director Harry Michael said the environmental impact assessment report had been endorsed by the authorities, paving the way for the construction of processing facilities and also allowing the firm to seek separate licences for mining, storage and transportation of uranium. Michael said the board of Lumwana's owner, Australia's Equinox Minerals, would take a decision in January on whether to proceed with the project on the back of a difficult global economic climate. (Reuters Dec. 30, 2008)
An Environmental Impact Assessment ('EIA') has been prepared as part of the Uranium Feasibility Study ('UFS') and was lodged in July 2008 with the Environmental Council of Zambia for project approval.
> Download: Lumwana Uranium Project Environmental Impact Assessment, July 2008 (21MB PDF)
> Download: Lumwana Uranium Project Environmental Impact Assessment Appendices, July 2008 (53MB PDF)
On Apr. 29, 2008, Equinox announced a positive Feasibility Study for uranium extraction at its Lumwana copper mine project. Equinox plans to selectively mine 1 Mt per year of uranium ore within the much larger copper mining operation. Approx. 2 Mlb U3O8 (769 t U) per year are to be recovered from the ore.
With a uranium spot price in excess of $US50 per pound, Equinox Minerals Ltd is re-evaluating the potential for a significant uranium by-product from its Lumwana copper mine project in Zambia. The deposit contains 22 million pounds of U3O8 (8462 t U).
Equinox is looking to produce about 150,000 tonnes of copper annually from the Lumwana project when it comes online in 2008. The project has a mine life of 37 years.
(Miningnews Net, Sep. 8, 2006)
On Dec. 22, 2003, Equinox Resources announced that it was granted a Large Scale Mining lease over its Lumwana copper project. Equinox, however, has abandoned the plan to recover uranium as a by-product:
"Discrete uranium zones have been defined within the copper orebodies. These uranium zones are discrete high-grade segregations and are not disseminated throughout the copper deposits. These zones will be separately excavated, stockpiled and returned to the Malundwe pit following completion of mining as it is uneconomic to recover the uranium." (Equinox Annual Report 2003)
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