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In Armenia, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
Global Gold Corporation 
,
Armenian-Russian Mining Company CJSC
Uranium fields have been found between the villages of Pkhrut and Lernadzor, Syunik region, Armenia. The RA Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has provided a 600-page report to the Parliament member Zaruhi Postanjyan .
(news.am Dec. 8, 2010)
NGO, says that "protection" is an "imitation" in the areas. She points at the increase in flora and fauna species in the Red Book of Endangered Species of Armenia, as well as cases of active exploitation of the protected areas.
, said that opening a uranium mine in the area would greatly increase the ecological hazards. Ecosphere Research Center show that ground radiation in the area exceeds the permitted level by more than three and a half times; ground contamination by heavy metals is several times higher than allowed.
(EurasiaNet March 26, 2009)
A joint venture established between Russia and Armenia plans to start uranium prospecting in the south of Armenia by late 2008, the venture's Russian participant said on April 22, 2008. Atomredmetzoloto, which manages all Russian uranium-producing assets, and the Armenian Environmental Ministry, signed on April 22, 2008, in Yerevan an agreement on establishing a joint venture to prospect and mine uranium and other mineral resources on the territory of the South Caucasus state. (RIA Novosti Apr. 22, 2008)
On Feb. 6, 2008, Russa and Armenia concluded an agreement on the establishment of a joint venture for the exploration and mining of uranium on Armenian territory. Russia plans to invest US$ 3 million into uranium exploration in Armenia in 2008. (RIA Novosti Feb. 6, 2008)
An armenian-russian joint venture for the mining and milling of uranium ore on Armenian territory is to be founded in the first half of 2008, according to Armenian minister of environment Aram Arutjunjan. During the Soviet era, the Armenian uranium resources were estimated at 30,000 t. (RIA Novosti Dec. 25, 2007)
Russia and Armenia have signed an agreement on geological exploration, extraction, and refining of uranium ore on the territory of the latter country. According to this agreement, the sides will form a joint venture on development and production of uranium in Armenia. They will also undertake necessary measures to prepare uranium deposits for uranium production. (RBC Apr. 23, 2007)
(BAEC) Dr AKM Fazle Kabria on Saturday (Dec. 5) said uranium of 500 ppm has been found in Sylhet and Moulvibazar areas. He, however, said this is still at the study and research level whether this uranium will be commercially extractable or not.
(Financial Express Dec. 5, 2015)
Bangladesh and Russia Thursday (Feb. 24) reached an agreement that is expected to lead to the construction of the country's first nuclear power plant, a two-unit facility at Rooppur, 200 km (124 miles) from the capital of Dhaka, a top government official said. [Rosatom head] Kiriyenko said the agreement also provides for cooperation in the areas of prospecting and developing uranium and thorium deposits, nuclear fuel cycle services, including supplies of nuclear fuel to power and research reactors. (Platts Feb. 24, 2011)
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Uranium exploration in Papua could harm indigenous population:
The chairman of the Papuan Customary Council (DAP), Forkorus Yoboisembut is concerned that the explorations into uranium now being conducted by Freeport in the Timika region are failing to take the interests of the indigenous people into account and could result in having a negative impact on their welfare.
These explorations, which have already been under way for eight months are not transparent. 'We have made strong representations to the company that these exploration can be harmful to the customary groups,' he said.
To ensure that the local communities do not have any objections regarding the exploration of uranium, the investors and the government should co-ordinate with the traditional owners (of the land).' There is a need for transparency by the investors about how long the explorations will be conducted and what the local communities will receive in payment,' he said.
(Scoop Sep. 7, 2010)
Mining of Indonesia's uranium reserves not feasible under current market conditions:
Indonesia has an uranium reserve of at least 53,000 tons which could be used as basic material for building nuclear power plants (PLTN), including 29,000 tons in West Kalimantan and 24,000 tons in Bangka Belitung.
"Besides, Papua may also have a very large uranium reserve. But it still needs some research," Deputy for Development of Cycle Technology of Nuclear Substance and Engineering of the National Nuclear Energy Agency (Batan) Dr Djarot S Wisnubroto said here on Tuesday (Aug. 31) night.
It had been estimated that Papua island has uranium reserves or nuclear basic material in large amounts on the basis of the similarity of the rocks in Papua and those in Australia already known to have the biggest uranium reserves in the world, he said.
If a 1,000 MW PLTN needs 200 tons of uraniuam per year, with the reserves in West Kalimantan alone reaching 29,000 tons, Djarot said, it means uranium can be supplied for as long as 145 years.
"But it does not mean we will be producing uranium ourselves for a PLTN, because under the existing conditions, the price of uranium is quite low. It would be more efficient for us to buy it from other countries. The uranium reserve could be used for the future," he said.
(Antara News Sep. 1, 2010)
House demands inquiry into alleged uranium mining by Freeport in Papua:
The House of Representatives on Thursday (July 15) demanded an immediate investigation into accusations that PT Freeport Indonesia was illegally mining uranium in secret in Papua, despite the widely-held belief that the nation does not possess viable deposits of the strictly controlled mineral. The House said the miner would need to provide clarification on the matter.
(Jakarta Globe July 16, 2010)
Expert: Indonesia's uranium reserves are too little to be extracted: Nuclear energy expert Iwan kurniawan has said that uranium sources in Indonesia are too little to be extracted with feasible cost, while a local non governmental organisation have accused that plans to mine uranium in the country is a result of pressures from global nuclear traders. (Tempo Interactive Feb. 11, 2010)
Indonesia's West Kalimantan province has uranium reserves enough to generate electricity for 150 years, a local development planning official said here on Saturday (Dec. 26). "Based on data West Kalimantan minimally has 25,000 tons of uranium reserves spread in Melawi district," Fathan A Rasyid, the head of the regional development planning board, said. (ANTARA News Dec. 26, 2009)
Kusmayanto Kadiman, Indonesia's Minister for Research and Technology, says that with help from Australian officials and mining companies, Indonesia has identified its own uranium reserves in Kalimantan, which it hopes to exploit, with Australia's help. (ABC Jan. 10, 2008)
Ardakan uranium mine delivers yellow cake consignment: Thirty tons of yellow cake from a production plant in the city of Ardakan in central Iran was sent to a uranium conversion facility in Isfahan on Wednesday (Jan. 30), the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. (Reuters Jan. 30, 2019)
Iran said on Tuesday (Apr. 9) operations had begun at the Shahid Rezaeenejad yellowcake plant in the town of Ardakan in the central province of Yazd. (Reuters Apr. 9, 2013)
Iran will inaugurate a new uranium ore processing plant in less than a year in Ardakan, central Iran, a top nuclear official said on April 9, 2008. Hossein Faghihian, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran in charge of nuclear fuel, said the Ardakan Yellowcake Production Plant would open before the end of the current Iranian calendar year, which is March 20, 2009. Faghihian said the new plant at Ardakan is to have a capacity to produce 70 tons of yellowcake a year. (AP April 9, 2008)
> View more recent issues
Saghand uranium mine delivers first yellow cake consignment: Iranian nuclear chief said here Monday (Apr. 9) that Iran has extracted yellowcake domestically for industrial use in nuclear technology. "Iran has transferred the first yellowcake consignment from Saghand uranium mine in the central Yazd Province to the uranium conversion facility (UFC) in Isfahan," Press TV quoted Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi, as saying. (Xinhua Apr. 9, 2018)
Iran said on Tuesday (Apr. 9) operations had begun at the Saghand 1 and 2 mines in the central province of Yazd. (Reuters Apr. 9, 2013)
Iran plans to start mining of uranium at Saghand soon, the Iranian agency ISNA announced on Oct. 19, 2010. The ore is to be milled at Ardakan. (RIA Novosti Oct. 19, 2010)
"We will be able to extract uranium ore in the first half of 2006 from Saghand mine. More than 77 percent of the work has been accomplished," Ghasem Soleimani, the British-trained director of mining operations at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said at the Saghand mine on Sep 4, 2004. Soleimani said uranium could be extracted from the shafts as early as mid 2005 if the Iranian leadership wants things speeded up, but there was no suggestion that political leaders in Tehran want that to happen. (AP Sep 5, 2004)
Some information on the project was given by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Vice President for Nuclear Fuel Production M. Ghannadi-Maragheh at the WNA Annual Symposium 3-5 September 2003 in London:
The Saghand uranium mine project is situated 185 km north-east of the city of Yazd, covering an area of 20 hectares. The detail exploration, completed in 1994, was concentrated on two important anomalies called no. 1 and 2, resulting in a calculated reserve of 1.58 million metric tonnes of uranium ore, at an average grade of 533 ppm (0.0533% U). This corresponds to a total uranium contents of 842 metric tonnes of U.
The projected underground uranium mine will have two shafts 350 meters deep each.
Ores with grades above 300 ppm are to be sent to the uranium mill, while ores with grades between 100 and 300 ppm are to be exploited by heap leaching.
An uranium mill with an annual capacity of 120,000 metric tonnes of ore and an annual output of 50 metric tonnes of uranium is being built 35 km north of Ardakan city.
On Feb. 9, 2003, President Khatami said that Iran has adopted plans to exploit the uranium mines 200 km off Yazd in central Iran and set up plants in Isfahan and Kashan to extract uranium composites to provide fuel for generating electricity. (IRNA 9 Feb. 2003)
According to Reuters, the extraction of uranium has already started.
(The deposit in question presumably is located at Saghand. According to the IAEA/NEA 2002 Red Book, this deposit has Reasonably Assured Resources of only 491 tonnes U and Estimated Additional Resources (Cat. I) of 876 tonnes U, both in the $80 - 130/kg U recovery cost category, that is 3 - 5 times the current world market price of approx. $10/lb U3O8.)
> View more recent issues
Iran starts domestic uranium production at Bandar Abbas: Iran claimed Sunday (Dec. 5) it could now use domestically mined uranium to produce nuclear fuel, giving the country complete control over a process the West suspects is geared toward producing weapons. The nuclear chief said Iran had for the first time delivered domestically mined raw uranium to a processing facility - allowing it to bypass U.N. sanctions prohibiting import of the material. Four rounds of U.N. sanctions have targeted Iran's uranium enrichment program. Nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said the uranium ore concentrate, known as yellowcake, was produced at the Gachin uranium mine in southern Iran and delivered to the uranium conversion facility in the central city of Isfahan for processing. The Gachin uranium mill near Bandar Abbas processes ore extracted from a nearby mine into yellowcake. (AP Dec. 5, 2010)
Iran said Tuesday (Oct. 19) it has discovered higher uranium reserves than previously thought at a key southern mine and was stepping up exploration of the ore - which is the basis for the country's nuclear program - across the nation. Nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said the new reserves were found at Iran's only operating uranium mine near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, 840 miles (1,340 kilometers) south of the capital, Tehran. (AP Oct. 19, 2010)
Iran's nuclear chief Gholamreza Aghazadeh said on May 3, 2006, studies show there are considerable amounts of uranium ore at Bandar Abbas, mineable in open pits. According to first estimates, an annual production of 30 t of U3O8 seems to be possible, at lower mining cost than at Saghand. (AFP May 3, 2006)
According to intelligence information, Iraq is performing repair work at the Al Qaim uranium concentration plant, where it used to extract uranium before the 1991 Gulf War. (dpa Feb 23, 2002 / Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung Feb 24, 2002)
In Israel, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
Zerah Oil And Gas Explorations LP ,
Gulliver Energy Ltd.
Uranium exploration to be licensed in the Negev:
The Water and Energy Ministry (formerly the National Infrastructures Ministry ) is set to grant a license to Gulliver Energy to search for uranium in the Negev. This is the first time uranium mining will be taking place in Israel. The chairman of Gulliver Energy (formerly known as Urieli) is former Mossad chief Meir Dagan.
The uranium search will center on an area in the southern Negev, where oil exploration is being conducted by the Zerach exploration company. That exploration is taking place near the Dead Sea, at the Maya exploration site, south of Tzuk Tamrur, another exploration site near Arad. The license to be granted to Gulliver will allow the company to conduct tests and set up several drilling projects in the area, southwards toward the town of Sedom. The Ministry said that Gulliver had informed it that seismic and other tests indicated that there was a "strong likelihood" that uranium and other materials would be found at the site.
The Ministry added that a special permit was needed because of the proximity of the search site to several nature preserves, and the sensitivity of the matter.
(Arutz Sheva Dec. 22, 2011)
maglev (magnetic levitation) line, approved Friday (Oct. 17), will speed travelers from Tokyo to Nagoya in just 40 minutes, beating the fastest shinkansen by more than half the time. says.
(JAEA) conducted experiments in 1999 and 2001 in the sea off Japan using a uranium adsorbent having an amidoxime structure, which reacts sensitively only with heavy metals. The second experiment succeeded in collecting 1.5 g of uranium for each kg of the adsorbent over a period of 30 days. Based on this result, the cost of recovering 1 kg of uranium can be estimated to be about 32,000 yen, about three times higher than the current uranium price on the market. However, because this method allows vanadium, a rare metal, to be recovered together with uranium, there is a potential for reducing the cost burden, according to JAEA. (CRIEPI) has been studying a technology that uses tannin, which is a natural compound, in its uranium adsorbent. The cost of the required raw materials is only one-third of that for the adsorbent studied by JAEA, and an estimate suggests that the total cost could be about 40% lower.
(The Denki Shimbun Dec. 10, 2010)
has recently recommended Japan mass-culture seaweed to collect natural resources such as bio-ethanol and uranium. In the "Apollo and Poseidon Initiative 2025," MRI suggests that Japan cultures gulfweed, which can grow more than 2 metres high a year in the sea. The plants could also absorb carbon dioxide and purify the seawater, and can be used as non-food alternative energy sources for bio-ethanol. In April, MRI plans to inaugurate a consortium comprising public research institutes and manufacturers to move the plan forward. Using advanced molecular and gene-engineering technologies, MRI estimates that Japan would be capable of producing 65 million metric tons of gulfweed a year, and recovering 195 million tons of uranium [?!?] - 40% of Japan's total consumption - that is absorbed in the seaweed.
(Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, 19 February 2008, as cited in Science & Innovation Section Newsletter, British Embassy Tokyo, February 2008)
Note: According to the 2008 NEA/IAEA Red Book, Japan's reactor-related uranium requirements in 2007 were 8790 t U, so 40% would correspond to 3516 t U.
,
Korea Resources Corporation ,
Stonehenge Metals Ltd
In Kyrgyzstan, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
AusAmerican Mining Corporation NL ,
Gate Bridge Company Ltd,
Sinosteel Corp. ,
EMX Royalty Corporation ,
Linia Prava Uranium Ltd ,
Nimrodel Resources Ltd ,
Stans Energy Corp. ,
Greenwich Global Capital Inc. ,
Monitor Energy Ltd ,
Hebei Mining Resources Ltd,
Leopard Minerals plc ,
Tau Mining Ltd (UK),
Long Alpha Mining Company LLC,
Dynamite Resources Ltd ,
Pangaea Energy Ltd ,
Namibian Copper NL ,
International Mining Company Invest Inc (USA) ,
U-Energy,
Toyo Bial International,
Miya,
Vostok Geo Invest Group,
Avante,
CIS Insan Exploration,
Zhany-Zhyldyz Gold Ltd,
Resource-IMS,
Kentor,
Biran,
Uranium Metals,
Urasia Kyrgyzstan,
Eurasia Mining Plc ,
Afrasia Mining & Energy Investment Holdings Ltd,
Energy Resources Asia Limited,
ZAO Primera Group Inc.,
Kyzylsuu Kek LLC,
Karasai Ken LLC (Jasper Gold Corp),
Ant Ant Company LLC,
Ex-libris Group LLC,
State Enterprise "North Kyrgyz Geological Expedition" (State Agency for Mineral Resources),
Artybash LLC (Bezengi LLC),
Mineral Explorer LLC,
Rich Mt. Hong Kong Mining LLC (AnBo Resources Limited Company),
Golden Pass LLC (Central Asia Minerals Ltd),
Yntymak88 LLC,
"Asia Invest" LLC
Kyrgyz president signs law banning uranium exploration and mining:
> See here
Kyrgyzstan issued 20 uranium prospection and exploration licenses, so far: According to the State Committee for Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use of the Kyrgyz Republic, a total of 20 licenses have been issued for prospecting and exploration of deposits containing uranium. A license for uranium mining, filed by the Urasia in Kyrgyzstan LLC [for Kyzyl-Ompul] in October last year, is also being considered. (AKIpress May 3, 2019)
Kyrgyzstan's parliament bans uranium exploration and mining after protests:
> See here
At demonstration in Bishkek, more than 300 demand ban on uranium mining in Kyrgyzstan: A rally against uranium mining in Kyrgyzstan is held in the center of Bishkek on April 26. At 11:30, the number of protesters exceeded 300 people and continues to increase. According to historian Eleri Bitikchi, they require a complete ban on the extraction of uranium, they are not satisfied with just introducing a moratorium. (AKIpress Apr. 26, 2019)
Kyrgyzstan rejects uranium exploration applications in Arsy area:
On Nov. 18, 2013, the Commission of the State Agency on Geology and Mineral Resources refused the application for search of uranium on 19,600 hectares in the area of Arsy by UrAsia in Kyrgyzstan, LLC, Azarga Uranium Corp., UrAsia Mining Company, citizens KR Ashyralievoy EA, Kazakbaev EA, and Kasenova DR.
The area is located in the Kochkor district of Naryn oblast.
The applications were rejected due to the overlapping with an existing license for gold and other metals held by Naryn Gold LLC.
(Tazabek Nov. 18, 2013)
Kyrgyzstan expects the manifestation of interest from the side of Belorussia in the development of uranium deposits and minerals in the territory of the republic. (Kazakhstan today July 28, 2009)
On Jan. 9, 2008, Nimrodel Resources Ltd announced that its 100% owned Kyrgyz subsidiary Linia Prava Uranium Ltd has been issued licenses to allow prospecting for the reprocessing and extraction of uranium and other metals from 23 tailings deposits in the Mailuu-Suu district of Central Kyrgyzstan.
On Oct. 23, 2008, Nimrodel Resources Ltd announced that "In the context of the prevailing global economic uncertainty and current uranium prices, the investigations carried out to date do not support the development of the re-processing of the Mailuu Suu Tailings in its current form. However, the Scoping Study has also established financial parameters and attractive low-cost, modular re-processing technology, which can be readily applied to large quantities of tailings in diverse locations."
> see also: Zarechnoye project (Kazakhstan)
> View more recent issues
On Sep. 4, 2006, a new tender for the Kara Balta uranium mill was opened. It will be open until Oct. 2, 2006. (Kazakhstan Today Sep. 4, 2006)
The tender failed again. (Interfax Oct 9, 2006)
On Aug. 18, 2006, the Kyrgyz government announced a tender for a stake in the Kara-Baltinsk uranium mill, beginning August 28, 2006.
The Kyrgyz State Property Management Committee said 72.28% of the company's shares will be offered at an initial price of 155.424 million soms (about US$ 4 million). (RIA Novosti Aug. 18, 2006)
A tender on the sale of the state block of stock of the Kara Balta uranium processing and mining facility in Kyrgyzstan has failed. There have been no investors to apply for participation in the tender organised by the State Property Committee of Kyrgyzstan on August 28, 2006. It has been the third attempt to sell the enterprise (Itar-Tass, Aug. 29, 2006)
The Kyrgyz government announced its intention to conduct an international tender for the sale of the Kara Balta Mining Combine. Kara Balta controls a large hydrometallurgical facility near Bishkek. Annual uranium production of the facility was listed at 3600 tU per year. Most recently, the facility provided final processing for in-situ leach (ISL) slurries from mines in southern Kazakhstan and is reportedly involved in the Zarechnoye joint venture with Kazakhstan and Russia. According to a government spokesman, the processing facility - 72.28% state-owned - closed in 2004 due to "unstable raw material supplies from Kazakhstan". (WNA News Briefing 05.11, 22 Mar 2005)
The auction will be held on July 26, 2005. The initial price is 140.02 million Soms (US$ 3.4 million). (AKIPress July 2, 2005)
On Feb. 26, 2004, Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev said the Kyrgyz government objects to bringing uranium waste from abroad into the country. "The government disapproves of the project. It will not allow the country to be turned into a uranium waste dump," Tanayev said. "First and foremost, Kyrgyzstan must solve the problem of uranium tailing storage facilities." On Feb. 25, 2004, a number of non-governmental organizations made a joint statement opposing the waste import. (Interfax Feb. 26, 2004)
An expert commission, composed of specialists, government members, and parliamentarians, has supported the processing of nuclear wastes from Germany at Kyrgyzstan's Kara-Balta mining combine.
The Kara-Balta mining combine and the German company RWE NUKEM GmbH in 2003 concluded a contract under which 1,700 used graphite crucibles containing no more than 5% of uranium would be processed and stored in Kyrgyzstan.
(Interfax Jul. 13, 2004)
According to an article in New Scientist (Sep. 25, 2004), the material in question comprises 1800 tons of radioactive material currently stored in 10,600 drums at the BNFL Springfields nuclear fuel plant near Preston in north-west England. The Kara-Balta mill - said to be one of the few plants capable of separating the uranium from the graphite - will recover 90 tons of reactor-grade uranium from the material, while the remaining 1710 tons will be disposed of in Kyrgyzstan.
(The Guardian, The Independent, AKIPress Sep. 23, 2004)
However, the Kyrgyz authorities have not agreed to the import of the uranium waste and have not even received a license application for it.
(IRIN Sep. 23, 2004)
The Kyrgyz government now has prohibited the import of the waste material in question. (AKIPress Sep. 29, 2004)
> View deposit info
Tash-Bulak site of Kyzyl Ompol uranium deposit obtains permit for deposit development:
Kyrgyzaltyn OJSC received 15 licenses for deposit development and geological exploration.
It should be noted that the licenses received include a permit for Tash-Bulak site of Kyzyl Ompol uranium deposit. In mid-June 2024, former Minister of Natural Resources Melis Turgunbaev reported that additional exploration of reserves would be carried out at the deposit. Earlier, YurAsia company was going to develop Tash-Bulak deposit of the Kyzyl-Ompol group of uranium-thorianite placers. It was planned to process it at Kara-Balta Mining Plant. However, Kyrgyzstanis were categorically against the project. The company then suspended operations until the situation changed. The company's license for geological exploration of the deposit was temporarily suspended.
In the spring of 2019, a number of rallies were held in Kyrgyzstan against the project on the development of Tash-Bulak uranium deposit in Issyk-Kul region. The result of numerous protests was the revocation of the uranium development license. Later, a law prohibiting the exploration and development of uranium and thorium deposits was passed in the country.
(24.kg Aug. 1, 2024)
Kyzyl-Ompul uranium mine project sold to Russian-owned Central Asian Uranium Company: On Nov. 12, 2019, Azarga Uranium announced that its 93.1% owned subsidiary, UrAsia in Kyrgyzstan Limited Liability Company, has been sold to Central Asian Uranium Company Limited Liability Company. UrAsia owns a 100% interest in the Kyzyl Ompul Uranium Project located in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Residents mined sand from Kyzyl-Ompul uranium deposit:
Residents of Kochkor region mined sand on the site of Bake, Kyzylompol group of uranium-thorianite placers. This became known during the work of members of the interdepartmental working commission on monitoring the impact of activities carried out on the Kyzylompol license area.
According to a member of the interdepartmental commission Bolot Duyshobaev, this area is territorially related to the Kochkor region, in connection with which local entrepreneurs were engaged in the extraction of sand for the further production of the sand block.
Duyshobaev suggests that the sand block used in the construction of utility rooms may have an increased radiation background. Therefore, he believes that it is necessary to ban mining in this area.
(Turmush Aug. 26, 2019)
UrAsia filed application for uranium mining license at Kyzyl-Ompul in 2018: An application for a uranium mining license was filed by UrAsia in Kyrgyzstan LLC in October last year. (AKIpress May 3, 2019)
Demonstration in Karakol against Kyzyl-Ompul uranium mine project: A rally against uranium mining is taking place at the central stadium of Karakol in the Issyk-Kul region, a Turmush correspondent reported. The rally under the motto "Kyrgyzstan without uranium!" began with the song "Сен ооруба, мен ооруйун Ата журт", the verses of which belong to Alykul Osmonov. The rally is attended by activists, representatives of non-governmental organizations and local residents. They require a complete cessation of uranium mining, as well as the declaration of a moratorium. (Turmush May 2, 2019)
Russian-owned Central Asian Uranium Company taking over Kyzyl-Ompul uranium mine project: UrAsia, the company developing Kyzyl Ompul and in which Azarga owns a 70 percent stake, is being taken over by the Central Asian Uranium Company for $5.85 million in cash payments and a commitment to fund $1.5 million of exploration and development expenditures. (Reuters May 2, 2019)
Hundreds join march from Balykchy to Bishkek to protest against proposed uranium mine: Several hundreds of people gathered in front of the Balykchy mayor's office to protest against uranium development on April 29. Residents of the Issyk-Kul region, as well as some people from Naryn region gathered for the rally. One of the protesters said the crowd is marching from Balykchy to Bishkek. (AKIpress Apr. 29, 2019)
Licensing commission suspends exploration license for uranium at Kyzyl-Ompul: The Subsoil Use Licensing Commission has suspended the license of 2852 MR LLC "Urasia in Kyrgyzstan" for uranium exploration on Kyzyl-Ompolskaya Square (Naryn oblast, Kochkor, Issyk-Kul oblast, Ton district). (Tazabek Apr. 29, 2019)
Prime Minister orders suspension of works at proposed Kyzyl-Ompul uranium mine site amid growing protests:
The Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan ordered to suspend works at the Kyzyl-Ompul uranium site amid growing protests in Kyrgyzstan.
During the government meeting to discuss this matter, the PM said he ordered to create an interdepartmental commission to look into the impact of development of uranium on people and environment. All decisions on the uranium deposit should be made only taking into account the results of the work of this commission, he noted.
"The company working on the uranium deposit received permission to carry out geological exploration at the site in 2010 and in 2013, it received a second license," PM said.
If the activities at the uranium site will be found to be dangerous for the health of people and environment, the deposit development must be cancelled, he said. "That's the government's position," he noted. "There should be no politics when it comes to people's health and environmental safety."
(AKIPress Apr. 22, 2019)
Exploration of the Kok-Moinok uranium deposit was completely stopped, the Issyk-kul region government said April 25. (AKIPress Apr. 25, 2019)
Lawmaker demands Cabinet to voice its stand on situation around uranium development at Kyzyl-Ompul: Lawmaker Janar Akayev is demanding the government to voice its stand on the situation around the uranium development at the Kyzyl-Ompol site in Issyk-Kul region. Tourism brought $358 million, while mining earned just $30 million, he said speaking at the parliament committee meeting on April 22. "Government keeps silence, we don't know the position of the Cabinet," he said and demanded the Prime Minister to voice his stand on this matter. "International donors are giving grant to get rid of uranium tailings, but here we are trying to damage the environment for $30 million and say goodbye to our tourism," Akayev said. (AKIPress Apr. 22, 2019)
More than 300 people gather for protest at proposed Tash-Bulak uranium mine site: Activist Akjoltoi Tukuyev said about "300-400 people" from different districts of Issyk-Kul region gathered in Boom gorge on April 22. Tukuyev said the crowd headed to the Tash-Bulak uranium site. (AKIPress Apr. 22, 2019)
Over 10,000 people sign online petition against proposed uranium mine at Kyzyl-Ompul:
Over 10,000 people signed an online petition urging the authorities to cancel the development of a uranium deposit in Issyk-Kul. The change.org petition author is Alena Homenko.
Geological exploration of the Kyzul-Ompol uranium site is being conducted since 2010. It is located in the Kochkor district of Naryn region and in the Ton district of the Issyk-Kul region. UrAsia in Kyrgyzstan owns a license for doing so until 31 Dec 2020.
On 27 March 2019, Kara-Balta Mining Plant and Economy Polimers Ru LLC signed a cooperation agreement worth $30 million during the state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kyrgyzstan. The money will be used to modernize the existing plant and develop uranium deposits in Issyk-Kul.
Kara-Balta Mining Plant will process the uranium ore from the Kyzyl-Ompol site. The uranium tailings will be buried in the decommissioned tailing storage near the village of Marmara, Sokuluk district.
Locals protest against the development of uranium since December last year.
(AKIPress Apr. 22, 2019)
Russian-owned Central Asian Uranium Company to take over Kara Balta uranium mill and Kyzyl-Ompul uranium mine project:
> View here
Residents rally against development of Tash-Bulaksky uranium deposit:
On March 26, citizens gathered near the building of the city hall of Balykchy.
They oppose the development of the Tash-Bulaksky uranium deposit in the Kok-Moinok ayil okmotu of the Ton district.
According to the participants, in the event of the development of the field, it is possible that the health of the residents living in this area, the environment and the Issyk-Kul lake, may be injured. According to the gathering, work on the study and further development of the field was suspended in 1960.
(Turmush Mar. 26, 2019)
Uranium mining to begin at Kyzyl-Ompul: The Kara-Balta uranium mill is ready for restart and in the near future it is planned to start production for raw materials from the Kyzyl-Ompul field. (AKIPress Sep. 29, 2018)
> View deposit info
See also: U.S. company challenges Kyrgyzstan's uranium ban
A bankable feasibility study ("BFS") for the project incorporating pilot work directed at optimizing uranium extraction is in preparation. It is the intention that the BFS will be completed by the end of 2011 in advance of project development. (Eurasia Mining Plc, June 6, 2011)
Eurasia Mining Plc has executed a legally binding Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") to acquire an interest in the Kamushanovsky uranium project in Kyrgyzstan. (Eurasia Mining Plc, Jan. 17, 2011)
"The deposit [...] represents an unusual style of uranium mineralization as it is hosted within peat deposits in back-swamp areas of the Chu river. [...] IMC propose to construct a simple mining operation at Kamushanovskoye. The uraniferous peat will be directly loaded onto road trucks for transport to the uranium processing facilities at Kara Balta some 100 km to the south west. Here the peat will be incinerated and the resultant as acid washed to recover the uranium." (Snowden Technical Report July 2007, emphasis added)
· Detail: buildings and tailings pond · Detail: buildings and thickener (Google Maps)
Reporters working for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), a respected dissident radio station that broadcasts into South-east Asia out of Oslo, say they have collected files and photographs which suggest that the country's ruling junta is mining and experimenting with uranium with the aim of one day creating a bomb.
The bulk of the evidence comes from Sai Thein Win, a major in the Burmese army who was trained in missile technology in Burma and Russia and has since defected. Sai Thein Win claims to have worked in a series of secret facilities near the town of Myaing, 100km west of Mandalay, where he was ordered to make prototype components for missile and nuclear programmes. He also claims a further nuclear facility is located at Thabeikkyin, a town north of Mandalay that he visited on numerous occasions.
(The Independent June 4, 2010)
"In Google Earth imagery we can see a small ore concentration plant and ore reserve about 7 miles east of the Irrawaddy at Thabeikkyin. This is very close to the point he describes. A group of buildings with one thickener and a tailings pond are visible. There is a pile of ore nearby. This could be a uranium ore concentration plant, consistent with multiple source reports of uranium mining in this general area. The mine itself has not been found." (Nuclear Related Activities in Burma, by Robert E. Kelley, May 2010)
.
(Hindustan Times June 10, 2014)
China and Pakistan agree to cooperate in uranium exploration and mining: China and Pakistan have "agreed to cooperate in uranium exploration and mining." China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said it had signed a framework agreement with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission yesterday for technical cooperation in the exploration and development of uranium resources. China signed a similar agreement with Saudi Arabia earlier this year. (WNN July 31, 2017)
The government has allocated Rs22 billion [US$ 255 million] for 25 new and ongoing projects of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), including detailed exploration of uranium resources in Bannu Basin and Kohat Plateau. (The News International June 4, 2011)
Pakistan's government has prepared a $600 million extensive plan for exploring and mining uranium deposits in the country to fuel future nuclear power plants (NPPs). Informed sources told Dawn that uranium deposits so far discovered in 'Siwalik rocks' in some parts of central Punjab were of low grade. However, by applying new mining technique, good quality uranium could be produced at a competitive rate with a view to progressively developing the uranium mining sector. The mineral sector is required to produce 350 tons of yellow cake (U3O8) per year by 2015 for meeting one-third requirements of the planned NPPs. The mining of uranium will be undertaken at three sites -- Bannu Basin, Suleman Range-3 and Suleman Range-4 in Dera Ghazi Khan -- to produce the required fuel for NPPs. Through these NPPs, the government wants to produce 8,800 MW of electricity by 2030. (Dawn March 1, 2007)
On June 24, 2004, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) of the Planning Commission has approved a uranium resources exploration project, which will cost Rs614.1 million (US$ 11 million). The project is "to ensure indigenous supply of uranium against abrupt suspension of such foreign supplies in the future". (Dawn July 11, 2004)
The area of Dargai village in Pakistan has been of interest to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for mining uranium, under the New Gudi Khel Uranium Mining Project. The project, with an estimated cost of Pakistani Rs 2,416 million [US$ 14.35 million], was slated to be implemented during 2020-2025. However, it has been delayed for various reasons.
As per plans, 36 wells are to be drilled to facilitate uranium enrichment [should read extraction] through a process of In Situ Leach (ISL) to produce 125 tons of uranium over 5 years.
Exploration of uranium is a critical subject and of concern to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the international community. Pakistan has been carrying out these explorations without informing the concerned international agencies.
(Times of India Sep. 18, 2021)
Pakistan has embarked upon a vital initiative to mine uranium from Shanawa Uranium Mine, District Karak in North West Frontier Province (NWFP). "This project is to cost Rs 3.348 billion [US$ 40.5 million] and will be completed in 5 years by June 30, 2014," a senior official at PAEC (Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission) on condition of anonymity told Pakistan Observer. He said that Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) has already accorded approval to this project. The working paper of the project available with this scribe, PAEC will be able to get 60 tonnes of uranium per year after completion of this project. The annual recurring expenditure would stand at Rs 453.02 million [US$ 5.5 million] while the annual income after completion of the project would stand at Rs 752.4 million [US$ 9.1 million]. The paper further says that PAEC has obtained the no objection certificate from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for launching the project. In-Situ Leach (ISL) mining method, the official said, will be used to produce uranium using alkaline solution (lixiviant) with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. "The production of uranium will start by July, 2010." (Pakistan Observer Aug. 29, 2009)
Currently, there are 18 ongoing development projects of the commission and Rs23.09bn has been allocated for these projects in the new budget. [...] These projects include uranium exploration in the Dera Ghazi Khan area of Punjab for which Rs140m [US$ 848,000] has been allocated in the budget though the project's total cost is Rs794.9m [US$ 4.8 million]. (Dawn June 15, 2020)
The government has allocated Rs 156 million [US$ 1.77 million] for the detailed exploration of uranium (Phase-vii) in Dera Ghazi Khan. The completion of phase vii had been lingering due to lack of funds. (Express Tribune, June 7, 2010)
On Feb. 6, 2008, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), approved the uranium mining project Taunsa 2, Dera Ghazi Khan, worth Rs 2.386 billion (US$ 38.18 million) including foreign exchange component (FEC) of Rs 1.15 billion (US$ 18.4 million). (Business Recorder Feb. 7, 2008)
A new uranium field has been 'developed' in Tumman Leghari, South Punjab, by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), it is reported. (UI News Briefing 99.42)
In the Philippines, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
Macro Asia Corp. (application filed)
IAEA, together with China, assists Saudia Arabia to tap uranium resources:
The United Nations nuclear watchdog has been working in parallel with Chinese officials to help Saudi Arabia exploit uranium -- the key ingredient for nuclear power and weapons -- despite its inspectors being frozen out of the kingdom.
The International Atomic Energy Agency published a document ahead of its annual conference next week showing the Vienna-based organization assisting Saudi efforts to make nuclear fuel. An institute in Beijing affiliated with the IAEA has been prospecting for uranium in Saudi Arabia.
(Bloomberg Sep. 15, 2020)
Saudi Arabia constructs uranium mill with help from China:
Saudi Arabia has constructed a facility for extracting uranium "yellowcake" from ore with help from China, Western officials revealed to the Wall Street Journal yesterday.
According to the officials, the facility is located in a sparsely populated area in the north-west of the Kingdom. The Saudi Energy Ministry said in a statement, however, that it "categorically denies" having built the facility in that area, although it acknowledged that it has contracts with China on uranium exploration within certain other areas of the country.
(Middle East Monitor Aug. 5, 2020)
Jordan to train Saudis on uranium mining:
King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy announced on Sunday (Mar. 10) the launch of national cadre development program in uranium mining.
The one-year Uranium Mining Project in cooperation with the Jordanian Atomic Energy Commission and Jordanian Uranium Mining Company (JUMCO) will train Saudis in the exploration of uranium ore, uranium oxide development and feasibility study.
The first batch of Saudi trainees to Jordan includes 13 specialists.
(Saudi Gazette Mar. 10, 2019)
Saudi Arabia announces uranium exploration program: Saudi energy minister Khalid al-Falih said on Monday (Nov. 19) the kingdom had launched a uranium exploration program and initial indications were positive, Al-Arabiya Business reported on Twitter. (Reuters Nov. 19, 2018)
Saudi Arabia begins uranium exploration in cooperation with CNNC:
The Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) has started a survey to explore and assess uranium and thorium resources in the Hail region of the Al Hail Province.
The project, which is being carried out in cooperation with the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) and the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), aims to explore uranium and thorium deposits for peaceful use.
During the launch of the project last Thursday (Dec. 14), SGS president Zohair Nawab said the Kingdom had no intentions to use nuclear energy for military purposes.
The exploration survey is intended for mineral wealth exploration, power generation, seawater desalination, and developing renewable energy sources, he added.
In March, SGS and CNNC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Beijing for bilateral cooperation in mineral resources. The two companies signed another MoU in September to explore uranium and thorium resources.
(Argaam Dec. 17, 2017)
Saudi Arabia to mine uranium for 'self-sufficient' nuclear program:
Saudi Arabia plans to extract uranium domestically as part of its nuclear power program and sees this as a step towards "self-sufficiency" in producing atomic fuel, a senior official said on Monday (Oct. 30).
Extracting its own uranium also makes sense from an economic point of view, said Hashim bin Abdullah Yamani, head of the Saudi government agency tasked with the nuclear plans, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE).
"Regarding the production of uranium in the kingdom, this is a program which is our first step towards self-sufficiency in producing nuclear fuel," Yamani told a conference organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "We utilize the uranium ore that has been proven to be economically efficient."
Preliminary studies have estimated Saudi Arabia has around 60,000 tonnes of uranium ore, Maher al Odan, the chief atomic energy officer of KACARE said at an electricity forum in Riyadh on Oct 11.
(Reuters Oct. 30, 2017)
CNNC furthers cooperation on uranium exploration in Saudi Arabia:
Qian Zhimin, president of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), and Dr Zohair A Nawab, president of the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS), signed a memorandum of understanding regarding CNNC and SGS furthering a partnership for uranium and thorium resources in Saudi Arabia on Aug 24.
To extend mine exploitation, CNNC and SGS will continue to carry out work based upon accomplishments already gained in the first phase of the collaboration. The exploration of mineral resources will be expedited to meet the demand of radioactive resources for Saudi nuclear power, according to the MoU.
(CNNC Sep. 1, 2017)
CNNC intensifies uranium exploration in Saudi Arabia:
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) convened the Saudi uranium and thorium resources evaluation symposium in conjunction with the first coordinating committee conference on Sino-Saudi nuclear energy cooperative projects in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on July 17.
Witnessed by top officials from both countries, the uranium and thorium resources project has achieved significant results, laying a solid foundation for CNNC to promote cooperation on the whole industry chain with Saudi Arabia, as well as in carrying out negotiations with countries along the Belt and Road.
Prior to the symposium, on March 16, CNNC Chairman Wang Shoujun and Dr Zohair A Nawab, president of the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS), had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding bilateral cooperation on uranium and thorium resources [...].
CNNC has promised to work on detecting radioactive resources in nine potential areas in Saudi Arabia within the next two years, according to the agreement. As the project executor, CNNC's China Uranium Industry Company organized nearly 100 geologists to conduct fieldwork in Saudi Arabia.
In late May, CNNC staff completed the fieldwork phase and discovered and labeled several target mineral areas, building a solid foundation for further assignments. [...]
(CNNC July 20, 2017)
CNNC and Saudi Arabia collaborate on uranium extraction from seawater: CNNC's Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy signed a collaborative agreement regarding research on uranium extraction from seawater with Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology on July 15. Chinese and Saudi experts will conduct a two-year-long investigation into uranium extraction from seawater, according to the agreement. (CNNC July 20, 2017)
considers by-product recovery of the uranium contained in the ore of its Ghurayyah tantalum-niobium deposit in Saudi Arabia.
The company's scoping study for development of Ghurayyah considered mining at an initial rate of 1.5 million tonnes of ore per year. The uranium contents of this ore would be 466,000 lbs per year of U308 (179 t U) per year. Recoveries have yet to be estimated.
(Tertiary Minerals PLC April 19, 2006)
General · Temrezli · Yozgat-Sorgun
In Turkey, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
Vetter Uranium Ltd,
Anatolia Energy Ltd
Turkey's license revocation for Temrezli uranium mine project breached treaty, ICSID arbitral tribunal rules: On March 3, 2023, the [International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)] arbitral tribunal issued its final award in the proceeding.
Turkey revokes license for Temrezli uranium mine project: On June 22, 2018, Westwater Resources, Inc. announced that the mining and exploration licenses for WWR's Temrezli and Sefaatli projects have been revoked and potential compensation has been proffered.
On Nov. 9, 2015, Uranium Resources Inc. announced the closure of the merger with Anatolia Energy Ltd.
Positive Pre-Feasibility Study announced for Temrezli in situ leach uranium mine project:
On Feb. 16, 2015, Anatolia Energy Ltd announced the results of a Pre-Feasibility Study, concluding that "even at current term prices or lower, the Temrezli Project is capable of generating strong financial returns." (UxC's current price for long-term contracts is US$ 49 per lb U3O8)
> Calculate Mine Feasibility
On May 12, 2014, Anatolia Energy Ltd announced the results of an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Temrezli in situ leach uranium project.
Operation licenses awarded for Temrezli in situ leach uranium project - even before submission of Environmental Impact Assessment:
On Oct. 8, 2013, Anatolia Energy Ltd announced that it was awarded operation licenses for the Temrezli uranium project. First production is targeted for early 2016.
Anatolia will now carry out a major work program over the next 10 months that includes refined metallurgical and hydrological studies as well as an infill and step out drilling program to be incorporated into a Pre-Feasibility Study.
Upon completion of the Pre-Feasibility Study, it is expected that a development decision will be made.
The Operation Licences also enable the company construct the ISR well field and processing plant upon issue of an Operation Permit, typically granted within 14 days of application.
The application for an Operation Permit will occur shortly after the submission of the Environmental Impact Assessment that the Company commenced in 2010, and will follow the granting of the relevant property and business permits.
On July 1, 2013, Anatolia Energy Ltd released a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Temrezli in situ leach uranium project.
On March 20, 2013, Anatolia Energy Ltd announced that it has commissioned a Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Temrezli uranium project.
Turkey carries out uranium exploration at Yozgat:
Turkey announced that it has started exploration and development studies at the uranium deposits in order to produce raw materials for the nuclear power plant which is under construction, and to reduce foreign dependency. The General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) will handle the mineral exploration studies [...].
(Mining Turkey Jan. 10, 2022)
In Turkmenistan, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
AXG Mining Ltd
> View extra page
("VAEI").
Under the current MOU, NWT will be directly involved in all aspects of uranium exploration including analyzing and assessing uranium ore, evaluating technical and economic feasibility of properties and ultimately, and assistance with developing the Country's nuclear energy sector.
The Vietnam Geology and Minerals Department reported that it will implement projects on uranium exploration in Pa Lua-Pa Rong in Nam Giang district, Quang Nam province in the central region. (VOVNews/VNA Jan. 21, 2010)
On August 4, 2008, the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced plans to explore for precious stones, rare earths and uranium through 2020. They are found mainly in northern and central regions like Son La, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa, Bac Kan, Lam Dong and Binh Thuan. It estimated demand for uranium to rise to 680 tons. (Thanh Nien News Aug. 6, 2008)
In Yemen, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
Cantex Mine Development Corp.
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