(last updated 7 Dec 2023)
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General · Dolní Rožínka · Rožná
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> See also: National Reports for Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management 
(IAEA)
International uranium mining training centre to open in Czech Republic
A new international nuclear training centre where experts can learn about the methods of uranium mining will be opened in Stráž pod Ralskem by the Diamo state enterprise with support of the World Nuclear University in London.
The first four-week course in the nuclear centre will take place in September and October 2006.
"We expect some 15 experts from China, India, Brazil, Argentina, Kazakhstan as well as other countries to apply for the course," said Ján Slezák, preparing the training centre.
(Prague Daily Monitor May 17, 2006; Mladá fronta DNES May 16, 2006)
> View deposit info
> View decommissioning issues
Rožná uranium mine closed for good
On March 31, the Rožná uranium mine terminated 51 workers. Commercial uranium mining ended with the previous year. Since then, employees work at the plant's disposal facility. Rožná was the last functioning uranium mine not only in the Czech Republic but also in Central Europe.
(Deník Apr. 2, 2017)
On April 27, 2017, the last carriage with mined uranium ore was rolled out from underground to the surface of the Rožná mine.
(iDNES Apr. 27, 2017)
Switzerland to export 12.8 tonnes of uranium ore excavated during construction of caverns of pumped storage hydroelectric scheme for processing in Czech Republic
On Nov. 29, 2016, Switzerland will export 12.8 tonnes of uranium ore to the Czech Republic. The ore with a uranium concentration of approx. 2% was excavated during the construction of the pumped storage hydroelectric scheme of Nant de Drance in the Trient valley in Valais. The ore will be processed in the only active uranium mill in [Central] Europe [i.e. Dolní Rožínka] in the Czech Republic.
(Nant de Drance SA, Nov. 29, 2016)
Czech government approves closure of Rožná uranium mine until 2017
At a meeting on 25 January 2016, the government of the Czech Republic approved a gradual shutdown of the Rožná uranium mine until the end of 2017 and commissioned assignments and measures to mitigate the negative impacts of this step.
(Diamo Jan. 25, 2016)
Closure of Rožná uranium mine now foreseen for 2017
The year 2017 currently is the most likely year, until when the Rožná uranium mine in Dolní Rožínka will be operating, said Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Czech Republic Jan Mládek during yesterday's visit to DIAMO's GEAM branch.
(Deník Aug. 6, 2014)
> See also: decommissioning issues
Workers' excessive radiation doses at Rožná underground uranium mine increasing even further
At Diamo's Rožná underground uranium mine, the average annual effective dose (8.2 mSv), the maximum annual effective dose (35.6 mSv !), and the collective effective dose (3630 mSv) showed an increase in 2013 over 2012.
"The relatively high effective doses imply the need to continue to perform consistently regulation of individual radiation workers in the underground mine."
(Noviny Diamo April 2014)
Workers receive excessive radiation dose at Rožná underground uranium mine
At Diamo's Rožná underground uranium mine, 16 out of 442 underground workers were exposed to an effective dose greater than 20 mSv in 2012 (vs. 12 in 2011). In addition, the average annual effective dose (7.9 mSv), and the maximum annual effective dose (26.9 mSv) showed an increase over 2011.
"These values continue to affirm the need to carry out a thorough control of radiation workers."
(Noviny Diamo April 2013)
Czech government approves continuation of uranium mining at Rožná
The Czech government today approved the continuation of uranium mining at Rožná. "The government has approved the continuation of mining, provided that it is not necessary to expend funds from the state budget," Prime Minister Petr Nečas said. According to recent information from the mining company Diamo, the resources would be sufficient for another five years of operation.
Last year, the Dolní Rožínka mill produced 224 tonnes of uranium.
(ČTK July 19, 2012)
Environmentalists oppose continuation of uranium mining at Rožná
Environmentalists reject further extraction of uranium at the Rožná mine in the Highlands, the last of its kind in Central Europe. According to recent surveys, there would be benefit for at least another five years. Ecologists do not like that the mined ore is of lower quality: the tailings pond will be filled faster because of the increased arisings of radioactive waste. "Because of the environmental impacts, mining is essentially in the red," says Edvard Sequens of Association Calla , demanding that at least further surveys should be stopped.
(Český rozhlas Mar. 6, 2012)
More uranium discovered at Dolní Rožínka
New deposits of uranium worth three billion Czech Crowns [US$ 152 million] have been discovered in Dolní Rožínka. The uranium would be sufficient to continue mining for the next five years.
(Hospodářské noviny Jan. 20, 2012)
Annual dose estimates for Rožná underground uranium miners still based on communist era-style method
As there apparently is no continous individual dose monitoring for the workers in the Rožná underground uranium mine, a study estimated doses based on occasional measurements of the mining aerosol - a method that has been abandoned by major miners decades ago for its inherent inaccuracies.
"In conditions at mine Rožná in 2000 - 2009, mean annual effective doses are 1.9 mSv from long-lived radionuclides, 4.1 mSv from radon and its progeny, and 2.2 mSv from external gamma radiation."
The combined dose from these three sources thus adds up to a comparatively high 8.2 mSv per year, the half of which is from radon and its progeny.
Estimates of Effective Doses Among Czech Uranium Miners, by L. Tomášek, J. Hůlka, P. Rulik, et. al., in: B. Merkel, M. Schipek (Eds.): The New Uranium Mining Boom, Challenge and lessons learned, Berlin Heidelberg 2011, p. 51-55
Miner dies in rockfall accident at Rožná uranium mine
A Slovak miner, 50, was fatally injured in the uranium mine in Rožná during tunnelling work early.
The Slovak miner, shift head, was hit with rock that got loose all of a sudden when the ceiling was being torn off.
(ČTK Dec. 18, 2009)
Less uranium than expected left in Rožná uranium mine
Less uranium than expected was found at the deeper levels of the Rožná uranium mine. Mining would therefore have to decline after 2012.
(Právo Sep. 10, 2009)
Uranium mining at Rožná to be extended further to 2015
Exploration showed the only operating Czech uranium mine Dolní Rožínka could operate until about 2015, three years longer than expected.
(Reuters Oct. 17, 2008)
Czech cabinet approves continuation of uranium mining at Rožná mine
In view of the rising uranium market prices, the Czech cabinet has approved the continuation of uranium mining at the Rožinká mine for as long as it will be profitable.
According to the latest estimates, mining could be profitable until 2012, and at the current market prices could generate a profit of Kč 2 billion [EUR 71 million].
(Prague Daily Monitor/ČTK 24 May 2007)
Czech Republic rejects Uran Ltd offer to buy stake in Rožná uranium mine, investigates further extension of mine life beyond 2008
The Czech Republic turned down an offer by Uran Ltd., an Australian uranium explorer, to purchase a stake at the Rožná uranium mine. Czech Industry Minister Martin Říman said the company's involvement is not needed because the rising price of uranium means Diamo can make the necessary investments without a partner.
Říman said he asked Diamo to prepare a document for the government on a possible continuation of mining and on exploration of new deposits. He said a detailed exploration of deposits located below the existing mine would cost 250 million koruna (US$ 11.66 million).
"The final decision on whether to continue in further mining and exploration will be left to the government," he said in the press release.
(Bloomberg Feb. 22, 2007)
Uran Ltd submits proposal for acquisition of interest in Rožná uranium mine
Following its recent announcement regarding discussions to acquire an interest in the Rožná underground uranium mine in the Czech Republic, Uran Limited advised on Feb. 19, 2007, that it has submitted a proposal to DIAMO, the state enterprise responsible for mining at Rožná.
Uranium mining in Rožná might once more be extended
Uranium mining in Rožná could continue even after 2008, Czech Prime Minister Jiří Paroubek said during a visit to the Geam plant. Chances are great that the EU's last uranium mine will remain in operation. The proposal for continued uranium mining made by the Industry and Trade Ministry will be dealt with by the cabinet in autumn 2005.
"We shall see how far we shall extend it because the deposits are there and they are plentiful," said Paroubek adding that the growth in world prices of uranium is a factor in favour of the continued operation.
World prices of uranium are one third higher than the mining costs, said Paroubek.
The costs for the repair of the environmental damages are estimated at CZK 6 billion [US$ 255 million].
(Prague Daily Monitor Sep. 9, 2005)
Rožná uranium mine to be shut down by 2005
Roman Makarius, chairman of the Czech Mining Office, announced the end of the operations at the country's last active uranium mine at Rožná in 2005.
(Prague Post Nov. 6, 2003)
Czech government approves further 2-year extension of Rožná uranium mine operation
On June 26, 2002, the Czech government approved a further 2-year extension of uranium mining at the country's last active uranium mine of Rožná until January 2006. The decision was criticized by Environment Minister Miloš Kužvart. (ČTK June 26, 2002)
Czech Government approves 2-year extension of uranium mining at Rožná
On November 8, 2000, the Czech Government approved the extension of the uranium mining at the Rožná mine in West Moravia until end 2003 rather than end 2001. (ČTK 8 Nov. 2000)
New effort to continue uranium mining operations
The Czech uranium mining company Diamo has started a new effort to get government approval for the continuation of its uranium mining operations at the Rožná mine for another two years after the scheduled closure in 2001. Diamo now wants to mine out readily available reserves, rather than expand its operations as proposed previously. (Hospodárske Noviny, 3 Sep 1999)
Uranium mining will not be continued after 2001
On July 21, 1999, the government of the Czech Republic reaffirmed that all uranium mining in the country will end in 2001. During the last months, Industry and Trade Minister Grégr had campaigned for the continuation of uranium mining for about four more years, to fulfill the needs of the domestic nuclear power plants. This would have included the reopening of the already shut down Hamr underground mine. Production costs would have been above world market prices, however.
Uranium mining suspended
A lack of finances at state uranium mining company Diamo forced it to suspend underground work at its Hamr and Rožná mines for two months, sending almost 400 employees home with 60% pay. (Prague Business Journal, March 3, 1999)
Uranium mining company Diamo began negotiating with unions to extend its current production suspension by another two months. (Prague Business Journal, April 21, 1999)
Plan to continue uranium mining
The Industry and Trade Ministry plans to propose to the government to delay the planned closure of the Rožinká uranium mine from 2001 to 2005. State mining company Diamo, which submitted an analysis of renewed uranium mining to the ministry, now plans to reopen a mine in Brzkov-Veznice. (Prague Business Journal, Feb. 18, 1999)
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Romania sells uranium stockpile to recover incompatible state aid
After the National Uranium Company (CNU) went into liquidation last year, which also meant the closure of the last uranium exploitation in Romania, the Crucea mine in Suceava county, the executive wants to sell the technical uranium concentrates from the safety stock to the Nuclearelectrica company and consumption. It was established between 2009-2011, and is under the administration of CNU. The money obtained would be used to return a state aid of almost 118 million lei [EUR 24 million] from which it benefited. The amount that will be sold is classified information at the state secret level and is communicated only to interested parties.
(jurnalul.ro Oct. 10, 2022)
National Uranium Company goes into insolvency
On December 14, 2021, the Bucharest Tribunal admitted the request for insolvency of the National Uranium Company made by Tinmar Energy, a company owned by the businessman Augustin Oancea, Ziarul Financiar announces.
(Mediafax Dec. 20, 2021)
National Uranium Company to be liquidated
The National Uranium Company (CNU), fully controlled by the state through the Ministry of Energy, will be liquidated in the next period, as it does not have the money to reimburse the state aid of over 178 million lei [US$ 43.5 million] received since 2016 and declared illegal by the European Commission, the company elaborating since January this year a liquidation plan, it is shown in a governmental document, analyzed by Profit.ro.
(profit.ro Mar. 5, 2021)
Insolvency requested for National Uranium Company
One of the creditors of the National Uranium Company (CNU), wholly controlled by the Ministry of Economy and the main fuel supplier for the Cernavodă nuclear power plant operated by Nuclearelectrica, has asked for the insolvency of the company, which has been in a difficult financial situation for several years. CNU has no longer sent financial reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2015. The official budget approved by the Government last year provided a profit of about 21 million lei [EUR 4.4 million], after the losses of 72 million lei [EUR 15 million] budgeted for 2018.
The request for insolvency comes at a time when Nuclearelectrica is preparing to do due diligence at CNU in order to take over its main asset, the uranium concentrate processing plant in Feldioara, and shortly after the authorities in Bucharest asked the European Commission for the rescue of the company.
The appeal does not seem to have been very successful, given that the Brussels Executive recently announced that various public support measures granted by Romania to the CNU are not in line with EU rules on state aid to businesses in difficulty, that the Romanian state cannot implement the support measures provided in the restructuring plan and, moreover, must recover incompatible rescue aid amounting to 13 million euros, which the CNU received in 2016, plus interest.
(profit.ro Feb. 26, 2020)
The court rejected the requests of several creditors for the insolvency of the National Uranium Company (CNU).
The decision is not final and can be appealed.
(profit.ro Dec. 23, 2020)
European Commission asks Romania to recover Euro 13 million of incompatible rescue aid from National Uranium Company
The European Commission has found that different measures of public support granted by Romania in favor of the National Company of Uranium SA ("CNU") are not in conformity with the EU rules regarding state aid granted to enterprises in difficulty.
As a consequence, Romania cannot implement the support measures provided for in the restructuring plan. It also has to recover incompatible rescue aid amounting to 13 million euros, which CNU received in 2016, plus interest.
(profit.ro Feb. 24, 2020)
> View: European Commission release, Feb. 24, 2020
> Download: Commission Decision (EU) 2020/1012 of 24 February 2020 , Official Journal of the European Union, L224/11-37, 13 July 2020 (1.1MB PDF)
European Commission prohibits Romania from subsidizing National Uranium Company
The Fuel Supply Agency of EURATOM, the EU institution dealing with security of supply in the nuclear field in the Community area, refused to approve a transaction whereby the operator of the Cernavodă power plant, Nuclearelectrica (SNN), would buy 70 tonnes of uranium dioxide. from the National Uranium Company (CNU) at the regulated price, with the motivation that the respective price, established according to the Romanian legislation, was almost 50% higher than the one that SNN could obtain under market conditions from the Canadian supplier Cameco, is shown in a government document.
(profit.ro Feb. 6, 2020)
European Commission to investigate state aid into Romanian National Uranium Company
EU competition regulators will investigate whether a 95-million-euro Romanian plan to restructure the National Uranium Company complies with the bloc's state aid rules.
(Reuters May 8, 2018)
> View European Commission release, May 8, 2018
Romania's National Uranium Company to get massive state aid for "restructuring"
Romania's National Uranium Company (CNU) will benefit from a state aid of some RON 440 million (EUR 97 million) for restructuring, according to a memorandum the Government adopted yesterday.
Granting the state aid is conditioned by the implementation of a restructuring plan approved by the Energy Ministry, which is the company's main shareholder. The European Commission also has to approve the financial support scheme before it is implemented.
The costs for implementing the restructuring program amount to about RON 941 million (EUR 207 million), RON 440 million of which represent restructuring aid [to be granted] in several installments between 2017 and 2022. The state will also subsidize the company's production costs and will convert into shares some of the company's debt to the state budget.
(Romania Insider May 26, 2017)
Romania's National Uranium Company to lay off one third of workforce
National Uranium Company (CNU), which is in an extremely difficult financial situation, will lay off nearly one third of its employees (332 employees out of a total of 1,106).
(Profit.ro Nov. 15, 2016)
Romania plans to keep National Uranium Company alive with state loan for building up national uranium reserve
The Romanian government announced on Thursday (Sep. 8) to the European Commission that it intends to grant National Uranium Company (CNU), fully owned by the Romanian state, an individual state aid for rescuing, consisting of a six month loan amounting to 62 million New Lei [US$ 15.6 million], to set up a 5-year national uranium reserve in view of the "increased instability on the eastern border of Europe," and the recommendation of the European regulatory authorities to maintain stocks of uranium for up to 5 years.
In December 2015, CNU had lost its only customer, Nuclearelectrica, which preferred to buy cheaper Canadian uranium.
(Profit.ro Sep. 9, 2016)
The government has decided to provide National Uranium Company (CNU) State aid consisting of a 6-month loan amounting to 62 million New Lei [US$ 15.6 million]. (Profit.ro Oct. 5, 2016)
Romanian government approves uranium subsidies for 2010
The government offers in 2010 subsidies of 29.5 million lei [EUR 7.1 million] to the National Company of Uranium Bucharest for the production of 45 tons of uranium octoxide. The company will receive another 2.8 million lei [EUR 0.67 million] for expenditure with meals, protection equipment and personnel transport.
(ACT Media Apr. 29, 2010)
New government subsidies for Romania's uranium mining company
The National Company of Uranium (CNU), the only producer of uranium in Romania, planned for this year investment of 25.7 million lei (Euro 6.2 million). Investments will be ensured from budgetary sources (18.9 million lei) and own sources (6.8 million lei).
"The investment programmed to be made in 2010 are for environment protection, in exploitation, for acquisition of independent machinery and technological equipment, as well as for feasibility studies for the construction of a works of preparation-refinery, as well as the exploitation of a new ore", the representatives of the company said.
CNU which belongs to the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Business Environment has 1,800 employees.
(ACT Media Feb. 11, 2010)
Romania's uranium deposits sufficient to meet domestic demand for 10 years
The uranium production in Romania decreased constantly over the last decade, as several plants became unprofitable or ran out of ore and shut down. While Romania's energetic strategy for 2007-2020 mentions that the remaining uranium ores will support the functioning of two nuclear-electric units at Cernavodă for eight years, Nuclearelectrica officials declared that the reserve will hold for ten years.
(Realitatea Apr. 16, 2009)
Government subsidies for Romanian uranium mines lowered
According to the Ministry of Economics, the state subsidies for the Romanian national uranium mining company (CNU) have been reduced by 14.3%. On average, the subsidies for all mining companies have been lowered by approx. 28%.
(Allgemeine Deutsche Zeitung für Rumänien, Nov. 2, 2004)
Spill at uranium mine in western Romania
Several tons of waste sludge contaminated with uranium poured from a mining operation in western Romania into nearby streams and then the Fekete Körös River in eastern Hungary. (Los Angeles Times, April 20, 2000)
Crucea mine (Suceava, East Carpathians)
> View deposit info
Last active uranium mine in Romania at Crucea-Botuşana closed
The Crucea Botuşana mining operation was the last one in operation [in Romania] until June this year when the government put a stop to it. Romania's last active mine is closed.
The National Uranium Company has decided to lay off employees in Suceava, and no other uranium mining project is in sight for some time, although Romania is making a big fuss about expanding its nuclear energy programme.
(Stirile PRO TV Nov. 21, 2021)
Uranium miners stay underground in Crucea and Botuşana mines in protest against payment delays
Approximately 160 miners from the uranium mines at Crucea and Botuşana were trapped underground, dissatisfied with the fact that they had not received their wages for no less than two months. The miners were trapped underground on Wednesday afternoon (Mar. 17), after initially starting the protest at the surface.
(Suceava News Mar. 18, 2021)
Around 200 miners working in the Crucea and Stulpicani uranium mines have announced that they will continue their protests despite receiving their outstanding wages.
The money came in on Friday 19 March. "Our money came in, but we haven't received our 2020 food allowance," said one miner, speaking on condition of anonymity.
(Adevarul Moldova Mar. 21, 2021)
Last uranium mine in Romania at Crucea-Botuşana to be closed this year
The only uranium mine in Romania, the one at Crucea-Botuşana in Suceava County will be closed this year, according to the Government's plans.
The National Agency for Mineral Resources (ANRM) approved the cessation plan for the Crucea-Botuşana deposit this month.
"Expenses related to conservation / closure works and for monitoring environmental factors are covered from the licensee's own sources and from the budgetary allocations of the Ministry of Energy, in accordance with the law," the quoted document states.
The costs of closure and ecological reconstruction are estimated at over 234 million lei [US$ 58.1 million], and those of social protection at 12.2 million lei [US$ 3.03 million]. To these will be added annual expenses, at least until 2028 inclusive, of 18.6 million lei [US$ 4.62 million] with conservation and 3.95 million lei [US$ 0.981 million] with post-closure monitoring.
(Profit.ro Feb. 26, 2021)
Crucea-Botuşana uranium mine closes temporarily, as Romanian NPP operator prefers to import cheaper uranium from Canada
About 700 of the 1,200 employees of the National Uranium Company (CNU) will be made redundant this year after the Crucea-Botuşana uranium mine in Suceava County closes temporarily, as CNU lost its only customer, Nuclearelectrica, which preferred to buy cheaper Canadian uranium.
(Profit.ro Sep. 9, 2016)
Crucea uranium miners resume protests staying underground
The miners from Crucea uranium mine in Suceava resumed on Monday (Mar. 2) the protests suspended in late January, under the accusations that the protocol with the Minister of Economy was not respected, according to Mediafax.
They say their wages were not increased, nor were they allocated more money for the food ratio. Following the discontentment expressed on Monday morning, part of the miners blocked themselves in the undergrounds.
According to sources quoted by Mediafax, the number of protesters stuck underground amounts to over three hundreds, the employees threatening to go on hunger strike.
(Business Review Mar. 2, 2015)
Miner injured in rockfall accident at Crucea uranium mine
On Feb. 5, 2013, a miner, aged 53, was involved in an accident at the Crucea-Botuşana mine. The miner was surprised by falling rocks, which hit him. He was admitted to a hospital and is out of danger.
(CNU Feb. 7, 2013)
> For Feldioara uranium refinery plant E, see here
> View plant info
Nuclearelectrica acquires assets of idle Uzina R uranium mill at Feldioara:
As part of an auction organized by the judicial administrator of Compania Nationale a Uraniului SA, which is insolvent, the Uranium Concentrates Processing Factory, a subsidiary of Societatea Nuclearelectrica SA , bought the assets related to the technological flow of the R Plant from Feldioara, thus completing the integrated Romanian nuclear circuit.
(Adevărul Dec. 6, 2023)
Environmental approval issued for new uranium mill "Uzina TG":
On Nov. 6, 2015, the Environmental Ministry issued the environmental approval for the new uranium mill "Uzina TG".
Comments can be submitted until November 13, 2015.
> View CNU release Nov. 6, 2015 (in Romanian)
> View environmental approval, Nov. 6, 2015 (ANPM - in Romanian)
CNU plans to build a new uranium mill "Uzina TG" with a capacity of 80,000 to 120,000 tonnes of uranium ore per year. The plant will be located in Feldioara (Braşov) next to the existing plant "Uzina R", which it will replace.
Comments on the EIA are invited by October 1, 2013.
> Download Public Announcement, Sep. 12, 2013 and EIA Summary (CNU - in Romanian)
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First batch of uranium mined in Ukraine sent to Canada for conversion at Cameco's facilities
> View here
The statistics of COVID-19 accumulated in Ukraine show areas with a significantly lower incidence of diseases. [...] The geographical proximity of these regions Dnipro, Kherson, Vinnytsia and Kirovograd, indicates the presence of a common factor for them, not typical for the rest of Ukraine. Such a factor may be the location of 83% of Ukraine's uranium deposits in the territories around Kirovohrad. Radon is one of the decay products of uranium, so the population of these areas may experience increased exposure to radon. [...]
Influence of the natural radon radiation on the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic , by M. Yelizarov, O. Yelizarov, I. Berezovska, et al., in: Scientific Reports, Aug. 7, 2023
Ukraine approves programme to increase uranium production
Ukraine, facing a lack of fuel for thermal power plants and surging gas prices, aims to increase its uranium production to cover fully the needs of its nuclear power units after 2026, the government said on Wednesday (Dec. 29).
Under a national programme the government adopted on Wednesday, Ukraine will invest 9.1 billion hryvnia ($335 million) over the next five years to increase uranium mining and processing facilities in the centre of the country.
It said the production at four Ukrainian uranium deposits would total 995 tonnes in 2022 and should rise to 1,265 tonnes in 2026.
It gave no uranium output figure for 2021 but said current production meets around 40% of Ukraine's needs for nuclear fuel. [...]
The World Nuclear Association said Ukraine produced 800 tonnes of uranium in 2019 and 744 tonnes in 2020.
(Reuters Dec. 29, 2021)
Interim agreement reached on continued uranium production in Ukraine for three months
On Apr. 8, 2021, VostGOK announced that as a result of discussions on further cooperation between the two state-owned enterprises [VostGOK and Energoatom], an agreement was reached to sign a short-term agreement for 3 months, which provides for the sale of uranium oxide concentrate at a price of 2020. This will allow not to shut down the company, to continue the stable operation of VostokGOK and during this period to take appropriate decisions at the state level, which will further cooperate with both companies on cost-effective terms.
Ukraine: operations suspended at last uranium mines in Europe due to insufficient funding
In central Ukraine, all three uranium mines in the country have been shut down due to insufficient funding. In the state-owned shafts in the Kirovohrad area, only the essential services for ventilation, pumping and water treatment are working, as local media reported on Monday (Dec. 7). Around 5000 workers are therefore on unpaid leave. The reason for the shutdown are debts of the state company Energoatom amounting to the equivalent of four million euros. Energoatom is the only buyer of the uranium.
For a long time there had been wage arrears and a lack of protective clothing, equipment and even explosives. Trade unionists also fear a power cut due to unpaid bills. This means that water that penetrates into the area could no longer be pumped out and the area's groundwater could become radioactively contaminated.
(Börsenzeitung Dec. 7, 2020)
The problems of VostGOK began back in 2017, when the National Commission for State Regulation in the Spheres of Energy and Utilities (NERC KP) approved a methodology for determining the price of nuclear fuel and uranium oxide concentrate in the electricity tariff structure. The price for uranium oxide concentrate was tied to the spot market and world prices for this concentrate. At the same time, the price of uranium extracted from Ukrainian mines with this method has become significantly lower than the cost of its production.
"This is due to the peculiarity of the uranium deposit in Ukraine. In our country, uranium occurs in granite rocks, and it is mined in granite mines by block leaching, which significantly increases the cost of the extracted products. In other countries, uranium occurs in soft soils, and it is mined a less costly method of in situ leaching. NERC KP did not take this into account at the time," explains Olga Kosharnaya, an expert on nuclear power.
As a result, the production cost of the Ukrainian uranium oxide concentrate has become much more expensive than the price for which its SE VostGOK sold NAEK Energoatom and gradually the enterprise became unprofitable. After all, the average selling price of uranium oxide concentrate is currently $ 75 per kilogram [$ 28.85 per lb U3O8], while its production cost is at $ 130 per kilogram [$ 50 per lb U3O8].
"We were promised to cover the difference between the price and the cost of production with state subsidies from the budget. But no one gave it," - complains [VostGOK General Director] Alexander Sorokin.
(Metallurgprom Dec. 10, 2020)
On Jan. 11, 2021, VostGOK announced the resumption of operations on Jan. 12, 2021.
Ukraine to supply uranium to Russia
Russia and Ukraine have signed a contract for the supply of raw uranium from Ukraine to Russia in 2016, representative of the International Uranium Enrichment Center (JSC IUEC), Gleb Efremov said.
The contract was signed between JSC IUEC and Ukrainian state-run concern Nuclear Fuel.
Ukraine is said to deliver natural uranium to Russia in the 4th quarter of this year.
(Pravda Aug. 3, 2016)
Ukraine suspends uranium exports
Ukraine suspended uranium exports in December 2006 after failing to fill up its national reserve to the required 2,400 tons, Mykyta Konstantynov, first vice president for economic policy and corporate development at Enerhoatom, a nuclear energy generating company, said in an interview published in the May 14, 2007, issue of Kiev-based Business weekly.
He noted that export restrictions would not apply to uranium purchased by Enerhoatom from VostGOK (Vostochnyy Mining Enrichment Plant) and supplied to Westinghouse (US) under a nuclear fuel qualification project with the American company.
(New Europe News May 19, 2007)
Ukraine could export natural uranium
> View details
Ukraine invests to increase production of Novokostiantynivske uranium mine:
Ukraine's Ministry of Economic Development and Trade estimates the need for investment in a project to develop production capacity of the Novokostiantynivske uranium ore deposit (SE VostGOK, also SkhidGZK) in Kirovohrad region at UAH 2.9 billion [US$ 111 million], including UAH 1.2 billion [US$ 46 million] from the national budget and another UAH 1.7 billion [US$ 65 million] are the enterprise's own funds.
According to the ministry's press release, VostGOK had already allocated UAH 0.35 billion [US$ 13.4 million] under the project as of January 1, 2019.
The ministry expects that the project will increase the production of uranium concentrate from the raw materials mined at the field by 2.1 times, from 336 tonnes in 2018 to 701 tonnes in 2021. It will also let create 200 new jobs.
(Open4business.com.ua July 16, 2019)
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A heap leaching scheme is under preparation at the Ingul'skaya mine.
(Licensing experience of heap and stope (block) leaching of uranium ore in Ukraine, by Riazantsev Viktor, IAEA Technical Meeting on Low Grade Uranium Ore, 29 - 31 March 2010)
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License renewal for Zhovti Vody uranium mill
The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine has renewed the license for the processing of uranium ores by state-owned enterprise Skhidny Ore Mining and Processing Plant (Skhidny Mining, Zhovti Vody, Dnipropetrovsk region).
(Ukrainian Journal June 25, 2020)
Ukraine plans reconstruction of Zhovti Vody uranium mill
The reconstruction of a hydrometallurgical plant (Zhovti Vody, Dnipropetrovsk region) is estimated at UAH 400 million [US$ 49.5 million], Director General of Skhidny ore mining and processing enterprise, Oleksandr Sorokin, has said.
He said that currently the processing capacity of the hydrometallurgical plant is twice more than the volumes of raw materials supplied to the plant.
"We'll slightly reconstruct the Zhovti Vody plant and load it in full," the director said.
(Interfax Jul. 8, 2011)
> See also: No uranium mill planned for Novokonstantinovskoye mine
State Nuclear Regulation Committee assesses technical conditions of Zheltiye Vody uranium mill tailings ponds as satisfactory
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