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(last updated 28 May 2024)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Spain: Berkeley Resources Ltd, Areva NC, Mawson Resources Ltd.
Supreme Court turns down company's appeal against denial of uranium exploration permit in area of former Cabra Alta mine: The Supreme Court, which was approached by the company Qbis Resources, interested in exploiting a uranium mine in the Southwest Sierra, has also put a stop to this project, so that there will be no prospecting in the area because the appeal presented has not been admitted. The residents of the affected towns (Higuera de Vargas, Zahínos, Jerez de los Caballeros, Oliva de la Frontera and Villanueva del Fresno) experience it as a victory because from the first moment they showed their rejection of this initiative with various actions. [...] The town councils in the area also showed their rejection and led the legal action against the mine. (El Periódico Extremadura Oct. 27, 2021)
Regional Superior Court turns down company's appeal against denial of uranium exploration permit in area of former Cabra Alta mine:
The Superior Court of Extremadura (TSJEx) denies the appeal filed by Qbis against the resolution of the Board, last year, which annulled the research permit initially granted. Against this ruling of the TSJEx, the company can appeal to the Supreme Court but, in practice, it represents a definitive response to the blocking of that project since previously, Congress, at the proposal of the PSOE and Podemos Government, has just approved the Law of Climate Change and Energy Transition that will put an end to the possibility of new authorizations for the exploration or exploitation of hydrocarbons, as well as the mining of radioactive materials.
(Hoy Mar. 5, 2021)
> Download Court Opinion: Sentencia 00093/2021 , T.S.J. Extremadura Sala con/ad Caceres (PDF - in Spanish)
Regional Superior Court allows appeal against denial of uranium exploration permit in area of former Cabra Alta mine to continue: The Superior Court of Justice of Extremadura has given the reason to the appeal of the company QBIS Resources SL against a resolution of the General Directorate of Industry, Energy and Mines of the Board that annulled the research permit for the uranium mine project in the region of Sierra Southwest of Badajoz. (El Diario Oct. 5, 2020)
Company pursuing uranium exploration in area of former Cabra Alta mine deregistered:
On March 21, 2020, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission deregistered the Australian Proprietary Company QBIS RESOURCES SL PTY LTD (ACN: 166 338 923).
Permit for uranium exploration in area of former Cabra Alta mine retracted:
The General Directorate for Industry, Energy and Mines has decided to cancel the resource investigation permit of section D (uranium) of the Mining Law, called ANSAR.
Thus, the six appeals filed, against the granting of the aforementioned permit, by individuals and the municipalities of Villanueva del Fresno, Higuera de Vargas, Zahínos and Oliva de la Frontera are resolved. The city of Jerez de los Caballeros also filed an appeal, but it was inadmissible because it was out of time.
The mine, located on the 'Cabra Alta' farm, is a currently inactive open-pit mine between Los Zahínos and Villanueva del Fresno.
The six resolutions of the General Directorate for Industry, Energy and Mines cited are based on the unfavorable report issued by the General Directorate for the Environment, during the processing of the aforementioned appeals.
It should be remembered that the permit, now canceled, had been paralyzed since March 2019, until their resolution.
Therefore, the Extremadura Regional Government proceeds to annul and annul the resolution by which the Ansar research permit was granted and its restoration plan was authorized.
(El Diario July 19, 2019)
1,500 demonstrate against uranium exploration in area of former Cabra Alta mine: This past July 4, the 6th Dehesa Sin Uranio Platform demonstration took place in Higuera de Vargas, which again was a successful event with approximately 1500 people walking the streets of Higuera. (Dehesa Sin Uranio Platform, July 5, 2019)
More than 13,000 signatures against uranium exploration in area of former Cabra Alta mine:
The Civic Platform Dehesa without Uranium has delivered on Thursday (June 27) a total of 13,390 signatures in the registry of the Junta de Extremadura to demand the revocation of a research permit for a uranium mine in the Sierra Suroeste region.
The signatories are neighbors of Zahínos, Villanueva del Fresno, Oliva de la Frontera, Jerez de los Caballeros and Higuera de Vargas, who have wanted to deliver on the occasion of the start of the 10th Legislature, when Fernández Vara takes possession again as president of the Board .
(El Diario June 27, 2019)
1,500 demonstrate against uranium exploration in area of former Cabra Alta mine:
Hundreds of people, 1,500 according to the organizers, have focused on the town of Zahínos to express that the temporary stoppage is not the final solution they demand to prevent investigation and possible opening of the mine.
As reported by the citizen platform Dehesa sin Uranio, they demonstrated with the owners of affected lands and neighbors of the region to remember that the revocation of the research permit granted by the Junta de Extremadura to the company Qbis Resources S.L. is pending. to look for uranium in the area with the objective of mining.
(El Diario May 17, 2019)
1,500 demonstrate against uranium exploration in area of former Cabra Alta mine:
Neighbors of the Sierra Suroeste region of Badajoz have demonstrated this Thursday (March 21) before the Presidency of the Junta de Extremadura and the regional Parliament to express their rejection of the business development of a possible uranium mine.
Hundreds of people (1,500 according to the citizen platform "Dehesa sin Uranio", the organizer of this protest), have shown their refusal to let the region host a uranium mine for possible health problems and environmental damage that could cause.
(El Diario March 21, 2019)
Exploration authorization suspended for area of former Cabra Alta uranium mine:
The Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure of the Junta de Extremadura has issued a resolution suspending exploration authorization for the uranium mine located on the 'Cabra Alta' farm. It is an outdoor farm currently sealed, which is located between Zahínos and Villanueva del Fresno.
The councilors of Villanueva del Fresno, Higuera de Vargas, Oliva de la Frontera and Jerez de los Caballeros have joined after learning that the Board had granted permission to investigate the resources present in the former mine to the company Qbis Resources. Now the research project is suspended until the appeal raised is resolved.
(El Diario March 6, 2019)
On March 24, 2009, the Council of Government of the region Castilla-La Mancha approved a decree that prohibits the exploration of the Mazarete uranium deposit, which will prevent any future commercial mining of the mineral at the site. The Council thus blocks the possibility opened in February by the central Government. The administrative preparations for the exploration at Aragoncillo I and II continue as planned, however. (Ecologistas en Acción de Guadalajara March 25, 2009)
The Spanish Cabinet has lifted the exclusive right for ENUSA (granted in July 1987) to explore and mine for uranium in the "Mazarete Guadalajara" area, located in the north of the province of Guadalajara. The lifting paves the way for the intentions of Minera de Río Alagón S.L, a subsidiary of Berkeley Resources Ltd, that in October 2008 presented two exploration projects for 13 towns of the territory in the Sierra de Aragoncillo, where test pits were already realised in the 1980's. (Blanca Corrales Feb. 20, 2009)
> Opposition: Stop Uranio , Ecologistas en Acción
Berkeley seeks $1 billion in damages from Spain over stalled Retortillo uranium mine project:
Australian mining group Berkeley Energia said on Tuesday (May 28) it had filed a request for an arbitration to seek $1 billion in damages from the Spanish government after it refused to give final approval for its uranium mine project.
The Retortillo project, Berkeley's main asset, received preliminary approval in 2013, but Spain's Energy Ministry refused to approve the project located near the central city of Salamanca first in 2021 and again in 2023.
(Reuters May 28, 2024)
Berkeley seeks international arbitration over stalled Retortillo uranium mine project:
On Apr. 10, 2024, Berkeley Energia Limited announced that the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Berkeley Exploration Limited, will refer its investment dispute with the Kingdom of Spain to international arbitration under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) .
Surface water use permit denied for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Duero Hydrographic Confederation (CHD) terminates the concession file requested by the Berkeley mining company for the use of surface water, with a maximum annual volume of 3,120 m3/s to be derived from nine intake points located on the Yeltes River, Águeda river, Azaba rivera and Dos Casas rivera, and whose purpose was to carry out research work for the extraction of uranium in the municipalities of Villavieja de Yeltes, Villares de Yeltes, Villar de la Yegua, La Alameda de Gardón and Carpio from Azaba.
The CHD's resolution comes due to the "impossibility of continuing it due to unforeseen causes", after the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (Miteco) denied Berkeley Minera España, S.L.U. the authorization of construction as a first-category radioactive facility of the nuclear fuel cycle of the Retortillo uranium concentrate manufacturing plant, according to Order TED/1328/2021, of November 26, published by the BOP on December 1, 2021.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día Mar. 8, 2024)
Supreme Court upholds refusal of discharge permit for Retortillo uranium mine project: The Administrative Litigation chamber of the Supreme Court, chaired by the former president of the General Council of the Judiciary, Carlos Lesmes, has confirmed the ruling of the Superior Court of Justice of Castilla y León of February 2022 by which it considered the authorization of discharges granted by the Duero Hydrographic Confederation in 2016 for the Retortillo uranium mine, rejecting the appeal presented by Berkeley Minera. (Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día Feb. 1, 2024)
Superior Court upholds appeals against licenses for Berkeley's Retortillo uranium mine project
Two rulings issued on the same day annul the authorization of exceptional use on rural land and the urban planning license that the Berkeley Minera company project had.
The Valladolid Chamber of the Superior Court of Justice of Castilla y León has just notified two rulings issued on December 21 that uphold Stop Uranio's appeals against the authorizations and planning licenses for the uranium mine project, concentrate plant and radioactive waste deposit at Retortillo, which can be understood as the definitive end of the aspirations of the Berkeley Minera company in Salamanca.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día Dec. 24, 2023)
Retortillo City Council annuls urban planning license of Berkeley's uranium mine project:
The new municipal corporation of the Retortillo City Council, in the extraordinary session held this Thursday (Aug. 24) in the City Council Plenary Hall and with the attendance of all the members, unanimously agreed to cancel the partial urban planning license granted to Berkeley Minera España in 2020 and declare its expiration.
During the plenary session, it was also agreed to resume and urgently conclude the sanctioning file for very serious urban planning offenses committed by Berkeley Minera España in the municipality of Retortillo for large works in the construction of the pond and diversion of the provincial highway, without the appropriate licenses.
(La Crónica de Salamanca Aug. 25, 2023)
National Securities Market Commission fines Berkeley 150,000 euros for late disclosure of privileged information: The Official State Gazette publishes two fines (totalling 150,000 euros) imposed by the National Securities Market Commission on the company Berkeley Energía Limited, which has planned an open-pit uranium mine in Retortillo. (Radio Salamanca July 28, 2023)
New City Council of Retortillo unanimously opposed to Berkeley's uranium mine project:
Radical change in the Retortillo City Council as for the first time since 2011 all its members oppose Berkeley Minera's uranium mine project, including the Vox councilwoman.
The four members of the PSOE and the councilwoman of VOX are clearly opposed to the uranium mine project that Berkeley has been trying, for 12 years, to build in Retortillo.
They will study all pending files and authorizations granted by the last three corporations that have been collaborators with the mining company and Berkeley workers.
The new corporation took office this Saturday (June 17) and the town will have a female mayor for the first time in its history.
(La Crónica de Salamanca June 17, 2023)
Berkeley files appeal against denial of construction permit for uranium mill at proposed Retortillo uranium mine: Berkeley goes on the offensive against the Government to unblock the uranium deposit at Retortillo (Salamanca). The Australian mining company has filed a contentious-administrative appeal in the National Court to defend the mining project after the Ministry for Ecological Transition, headed by Teresa Ribera, vetoed the initiative in November 2021. (El Mundo Apr. 3, 2023)
Spain upholds denial of construction permit for uranium mill at proposed Retortillo uranium mine: On Feb. 7, 2023, Berkeley Energia Limited advised that it has received formal notification from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge ("MITECO") that it has rejected the Company's administrative appeal against MITECO's rejection of the Authorisation for Construction for the uranium concentrate plant as a radioactive facility at the Salamanca project.
Berkeley planning solar plant at site of stalled Retortillo uranium mine project: A study evaluating the design, permitting, construction and operation of a solar power system at the Retortillo site was initiated during the quarter. (Berkeley Quarterly Report December 2022)
Berkeley submits notification of investment dispute over stalled Retortillo uranium mine project: On Nov. 18, 2022, Berkeley Energia Limited announced that through the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries, Berkeley Minera Espana, S.L.U. and Berkeley Exploration Limited, it has submitted a written notification of an investment dispute to the Prime Minister of Spain and the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge ("MITECO"). Berkeley's notification informs the Kingdom of Spain of the nature of the dispute and the alleged Energy Charter Treaty ("ECT") breaches, and proposes to seek prompt negotiations for an amicable solution pursuant to article 26.1 of the ECT.
High Court annulls discharge permit for stalled Retortillo uranium mine project:
In addition to the non-authorization of the project by the Government, there is now a ruling by the High Court of Justice of Castilla y León declaring null and void the discharge authorization granted by the Duero Hydrographic Confederation [CHD].
This ruling, which can be appealed in cassation within one month before this same Chamber, is the result of the lawsuit filed by the City Council of Villavieja de Yeltes against the CHD for the resolution of the Presidency of the Basin Body, by which on "May 9, 2016 Berkeley Minera España, S.L. was granted an authorization to discharge wastewater from a mining operation for the extraction and processing of uranium ore into the Yeltes River and Caganchas, Santidad and Valdemanzano streams, in the municipalities of Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes", for which the company Berkeley Minera España, S.L. is also a co-defendant.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día Feb. 23, 2022)
Government also denies prior authorization of preprocessing facilities for Retortillo at Alameda and Zona 7 deposits: In view of the previous denial of the construction permit for a uranium mill at the proposed Retortillo uranium mine, the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO) now also denied prior authorizations requested by Berkeley for a heap leach facility at the Alameda deposit and an ore crusher at the Zona 7 deposit, both of which would depend on further processing of their respective intermediate products at the Retortillo mill. (Boletín Oficial del Estado Núm. 306, Jueves 23 de diciembre de 2021, p. 159671-159673, and p. 159674-159677)
Government denies construction permit for uranium mill at proposed Retortillo uranium mine:
The Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has informed Berkeley Minera España S.L.U. of the denial of the construction authorization for the uranium concentrate manufacturing plant that the company planned to locate in Retortillo. This order will be published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) for general information purposes.
MITECO's resolution comes after last July 13 the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) reported unfavorably on the application submitted by Berkeley on September 7, 2016. In its opinion, the body explains that its assessment responds to the low reliability and high uncertainties of the safety analyses of the radioactive facility in the geotechnical and hydrological aspects, as the Ministry recalls in a statement.
(Salamanca RTV al día Nov. 26, 2021)
> Download: Order No. TED/1328/2021 , in: Boletín Oficial del Estado, No. 287, Dec. 1, 2021, p. 148594-148597 (242kB PDF - in Spanish)
Nuclear Regulator vetoes permit for uranium mill at proposed Retortillo uranium mine:
The Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) has issued this Monday (July 12) what may become the death sentence of the uranium mine project that the Berkeley company has been trying to open for more than a decade in the Salamanca municipality of Retortillo. The supervisory body has issued a negative report on the construction permit for the mineral processing plant contemplated in this project. With this pronouncement, it is impossible for the Ministry for Ecological Transition to grant authorization for this vital part of the controversial mining exploitation, since the opinion of the CSN is binding.
The plenary session of the CSN, whose five members are appointed by the Congress of Deputies, vetoes the permit to build the plant on the understanding that there are risks with the treatment and storage of radioactive waste that would be generated during uranium processing and whose management would leave a legacy to future generations. The Berkeley Company's intention was to bury this waste in two of the pits - the large holes in the ground that are cut into an open pit to extract the ore. In practice, this would mean creating a radioactive waste storage in this small Salamanca municipality.
The majority of the CSN plenary session has considered that there are enough doubts - fundamentally, those referring to the hydrogeology of the area and the possible leaks of dangerous substances into the aquifers - not to grant the authorization for the construction of the plant.
(El País July 12, 2021)
Nuclear Regulator blames delays in Retortillo uranium mine on poor quality of project documentation: The president of the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), Josep María Serena i Sender, explained on Monday (Apr. 12) that the delay of this supervisory body in ruling on the uranium mine project in Retortillo (Salamanca) is due to the multiple requests for additional information that technicians have had to make due to the lack of information and the "insufficient quality" of the documentation submitted by the company. Serena i Sender has appeared in the Commission of Ecological Transition of the Congress of Deputies in a monographic session on this project. He has done so after the CSN decided to denounce the letters it received between October 2020 and February 2021 from the company and shareholder associations, in which they urged the regulatory body to rule on the project. (El País Apr. 12, 2021)
Provincial Council dismisses Berkeley's appeal against termination of agreement to reroute road for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Provincial Council (Diputación) of Salamanca dismissed the appeal filed by Berkeley Minera against the resolution of the agreement signed between the two entities for rerouting the SA-322 regional road.
The provincial institution argues in its resolution the "lack of availability of land and lack of authorizations and licenses" for the execution of the variant of the county road affected by the mining project, which has led to the extension in time of the agreement signed in 2016, exceeding the maximum term of four years of validity.
(noticiascyl Mar. 25, 2021)
Demonstration against proposed Retortillo uranium mine: On Feb. 28, 2021, Stop Uranio held a demonstration against the proposed uranium mine in front of the offices of Berkeley Energía in Retortillo. (Tribuna Salamanca Feb. 28, 2021)
Main environmental organizations of Spain consider risks connected with Retortillo uranium mine project unacceptable:
Ecologistas en Acción, Greenpeace, SEO/BirdLife, WWF and Amigos de La Tierra (Friends of the Earth) warn about the arguments that the Australian 'multinational' Berkeley defends to carry out the opening of the mine, claiming an increase in economic investment and creation of jobs, and ask instead to promote "stable, lasting and sustainable jobs in the area" and not to oppose development and employment to the conservation of nature.
The five organizations reiterate that the Retortillo open pit uranium mine project and associated uranium concentrates manufacturing plant carry unacceptable environmental, social and health risks. "The 'multinational' uses economic investment arguments as an opportunity for the future, violating safety, health and a future for the inhabitants of the area," they criticize.
(El Diario Feb. 22, 2021)
> View: Ecologistas en Acción release Feb. 22, 2021
Berkeley threatens to claim EUR 500 million from Spanish Government, if proposed climate law jeopardizes authorization for Retortillo uranium mine: An amendment to the climate change law, pending in parliament, threatens to veto [uranium] extraction throughout the national territory. [...] If it happens, Francisco Bellón, president of Berkeley Spain, advises, they will activate all the legal mechanisms at their disposal. (ABC Jan. 31, 2021)
Spanish regulator denounces pressure from Berkeley to authorize Retortillo uranium mine:
The Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) has brought before the State Bar and before Congress the alleged "pressure" received by the Berkeley company and representatives of its shareholders to authorize the start-up of the uranium mine in Retortillo (Salamanca).
This has been confirmed to Efe by sources from the highest regulatory body in matters of nuclear safety and radiological protection, after the newspaper El País announced that the CSN has received four letters in this regard in recent months, which they interpret as pressure to achieve the authorization on which the project depends, which Berkeley has planned for years in the aforementioned Salamanca municipality.
(Estrella Digital Jan. 28, 2021)
Province terminates agreement to reroute road for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Salamanca Provincial Council, by means of a Presidency Decree, dated December 9, has decided the "termination of the collaboration agreement", signed in September 2016, for the "construction of a variant on the SA-322 road (DSA-451)".
In the project presented by Berkeley, Stop Uranio recalls that "there was talk of the need to reroute the road" SA-322 (DSA-451), since "its route crosses the southern area of the future Retortillo cut, so a detour is necessary in the section between the town of Retortillo and the Balneario de Retortillo. The new route of the road will allow the use of areas in the south of the project for the location of dumps and mining facilities, while allowing the exploitation of the southern area of the cut".
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día Jan. 5, 2021)
Supreme Court dismisses appeal against authorization for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Supreme Court has confirmed the prior authorization granted by the Government to Berkeley Minera Spain for its uranium concentrates plant in Retortillo (Salamanca), after rejecting the appeal presented by Foro de Izquierdas-Los Verdes and Adeco-Ecologistas en Acción.
In September 2019, the National Court rejected the claims of both groups, which alleged that the environmental impact statement was granted by the Junta de Castilla y León when the State itself should have done so.
(El Economista Dec. 11, 2020)
> See also: National Court dismisses appeal against authorization for Retortillo uranium mine project
43,000 signatures against Retortillo uranium mine project:
The activist of the organization 'Stop Uranio', Jesús Cruz, gathered more than 43,000 signatures through the platform 'Change.org' to ask the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of the Government of Spain to stop the construction of the uranium treatment plant that the Australian multinational company Berkeley wants to carry out in the Salamanca town of Retortillo.
(Tribuna de Salamanca Oct. 6, 2020)
> Access online petition
Protesters ask government not to authorize uranium mill for Retortillo mine project: Around a hundred people have seconded the call of Stop Uranio in La Fuente de San Esteban to ask the Government not to authorize the Retortillo uranium treatment plant. (Tribuna de Salamanca Aug. 22, 2020)
Land use permit granted for Retortillo uranium mine project:
On Aug. 11, 2020, Berkeley Energía Ltd announced that the Urbanism License ("UL") has been granted by the Municipality of Retortillo under the terms established in the Urbanism Law and Urban Planning Regulations of Castilla y León. The UL is a land use permit needed for construction works at the Salamanca mine.
The Authorisation for Construction for the uranium concentrate plant as a radioactive facility ("NSC II") is now the only pending approval required to commence full construction of the Salamanca mine.
CSN reports favorably the request for renewal of the prior authorization of the Retortillo plant:
The Plenary Session of the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), meeting one more week electronically, has favorably reported the request submitted by Berkeley Minera España S.L. for the renewal of the prior authorization of the Retortillo uranium concentrate plant.
The company has prior authorization for the construction of the Retortillo uranium concentrate plant, as a first-class radioactive installation of the fuel cycle granted by Order IET / 1944/2015, of September 17, from the Secretary of State of Energy from the then Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, valid until September of this year. The report approved today considers that the circumstances and characteristics of the uranium concentrate plant are the same as those contained in the prior authorization issued in 2015 and it is now up to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (Miterd) to approve this authorization and set its duration period.
(CSN July 23, 2020)
City requests Regional Government to declare expiry of EIS for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Villavieja de Yeltes City Council has requested the Castilla y León Regional Government to declare the expiry of the environmental impact study of the uranium mine project promoted by the Berkeley company in the municipalities of Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes.
The first of the arguments presented refers to the period of five years that the company had to start the project after the favorable declaration of the order of September 25, 2013, since it is not considered that the felling of oaks can prevail as execution of the project.
Another essential aspect in the argument of the Villavieja de Yeltes City Council is the substantial modification that the project suffered when the promoter company gave up the execution corresponding to what was projected in the Villavieja de Yeltes term.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día May 6, 2020)
Territorial Commission dismisses city's appeal against authorization for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Territorial Commission for the Environment and Urban Planning of Salamanca has dismissed the appeal filed by the Mayor of Villavieja de Yeltes against the agreement adopted in July 2017, which authorizes exceptional use on rustic land for the Retortillo mining project.
The City Council of Villavieja de Yeltes now will resort to the judicial route against the agreement.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día Apr. 24, 2020)
Berkeley obtains further exploration permit near its Retortillo uranium mine project:
On Feb. 27, 2020, the Territorial Service of Industry, Commerce and Economy of Salamanca granted Berkeley Energía's subsidiary Berkeley Minera España, S.A. another uranium research permit in Villares de Yeltes, El Cubo de Don Sancho, Buenamadre and Boada, titled El Vaqueril (nº 6.751-10 of the province of Salamanca).
> Download: Boletín Oficial de la Provincia de Salamanca No. 53, pp.4-9 , Mar. 17, 2020 (217kB PDF - in Spanish), or:
> Download: Boletín Oficial de Castilla y León, No. 58, pp. 12986-12992 , Mar. 20, 2020 (477kb PDF - in Spanish)
Court order further delays licensing of Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Administrative Litigation Court number 2 of Salamanca has issued an order for which it has agreed to suspend the processing of the judicial procedure related to the urban license of the Retortillo mine until the contention of the authorization for exceptional use on rustic land brought by the Stop Uranio Platform is resolved.
This has been announced by that platform in a statement in which it speaks of a "new setback" for the promoter of the mine, in addition to reminding that in December last year the City Council of Retortillo denied the urban planning license requested by Berkeley.
(Tribuna de Salamanca Dec. 19, 2019)
National Court dismisses appeal against authorization for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The National Court has dismissed the appeal of Equo and Ecologistas en Acción against the decision of the Ministry of Industry to authorize the controversial project to build an open-pit uranium mine in Salamanca.
"We will appeal in cassation," said Manuel Serrano, a lawyer for the appellants.
(El País Oct. 17, 2019)
> See also: Ministry issues authorization for preliminary infrastructure works at Retortillo uranium mine project
Students from eight European countries protest in Retortillo against the uranium mine project:
Some 40 young students from 8 countries (Bulgaria, Spain, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal and Romania) approached Retortillo on Wednesday (Oct. 16) morning to show their rejection of the mining project that the company Berkeley Minera wants to carry out there.
These young people are developing a joint European work in Aldeia Sao Sebastiao - a town near the border with Fuentes de Oñoro -, which proposes Acting for the Field, looking for solutions that can improve the rural world, settle population and improve and make it possible that young people from their countries can find ways to live in the villages.
(Salamanca RTV al día Oct. 16, 2019)
Protesters hold road blockade to demand termination of Retortillo uranium mine project: Half a thousand people, according to the organization, have cut, for the fifth consecutive year, the N-620 at the junction with SA-315 as it passes through La Fuente de San Esteban to demand that the Retortillo uranium mine project be "terminated". The only thing it has done is "face the population of the area", "uproot 2,000 holm oaks" and "paralyze development projects" for the region. (Tribuna de Salamanca Aug. 17, 2019)
Authorization of Territorial Commission of Urbanism for Retortillo uranium mine project suspended: The legal services of the Regional Government of Castilla y León have corrected the decision of the Ministry of Development and Environment for which it had not admitted the appeal filed by the Municipality of Villavieja de Yeltes against the agreement of July 20, 2017, whereby the Territorial Planning Commission authorized the exceptional use of rustic land in the mining project that the Berkeley company promotes in the municipality of Retortillo. (Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día June 14, 2019)
Berkeley obtains permit for extension of uranium exploration around Ciudad Rodrigo:
The search for the existence of possible and usable deposits of uranium in the province of Salamanca, until now concentrated in the strip between Alameda de Gardón, Saelices el Chico, Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes, is extended to the surroundings of Ciudad Rodrigo with the concession of a new exploration permit by the Junta de Castilla y León for mineral resources called "Herradura".
The concession now made through the Territorial Delegation of the Board in Salamanca is spread over an area of approximately 20,250 hectares of land located in the municipal districts of Ciudad Rodrigo, Bañobárez, Castillejo de Martín Viejo, Sancti Spíritus and Retortillo.
(La Gaceta de Salamanca, Mar. 28, 2019)
Miner Berkeley appeals to Spain's Supreme Court over nuclear watchdog nominees:
> See here
Spain-Portugal cross-border humain chain held against Retortillo uranium mine project:
This Saturday (Jan. 19) the Stop Uranio platform called the residents of Saucelle and neighboring counties to hold a human chain on the dam [across the Douro river] of the municipality that symbolized the rejection of the population to the project of the uranium mine that the Berkeley mining company intends to install in the Municipality of Retortillo, in the Yeltes region.
Almost two hundred people from Spain and Portugal participated in the human chain that united both territories, with the presence of citizens from all over Salamanca and from the neighboring country in spite of bad weather.
In addition to the residents, the President of the Environment Committee of the Portuguese Parliament, Pedro Soares, along with representatives of the Os Verdes political group, headed by Miguel Martins, member of the National Council of that party, also supported the Stop Uranio initiative.
(Radio Salamanca Jan. 21, 2019)
CSN apparently endorses safety studies for Retortillo uranium mine project:
Spain's nuclear watchdog has endorsed two studies by Australian company Berkeley for a project to build Europe's only open-cast uranium mine near Salamanca, a source with knowledge of the matter said, a preliminary step in the approval process.
Following the endorsement of the nuclear safety studies, Berkeley still needs a broader go-ahead from the watchdog, CSN , as well as further approvals by the local, regional and national governments before it can begin work.
The CSN and Berkeley declined to comment.
(Reuters Jan. 10, 2019)
The share price of junior Berkeley Energía jumped by more than 63% on Friday [Jan. 11], following media reports that its Salamanca uranium project, in Spain, had been approved.
(Mining Weekly Jan. 11, 2019)
City Council denies planning permit and exceptional use of rustic land for Retortillo uranium mine project: The City Council of Retortillo has denied the Berkeley mining company the exceptional use in rustic land and the granting of planning permission for the Retortillo Mining project for the extraction of uranium in this municipal term. (Salamanca RTV al día Dec. 21, 2018)
Group appeals court ruling in the case of the felling of 1,800 oak trees for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Stop Uranio Platform has appealed to the Superior Court of Justice of Castilla y León (TSJCyL) the ruling of the 1st Contentious-Administrative Court of Salamanca, which dismissed its claim against the City Council of Retortillo for the felling of some 1,800 holm oaks.
Stop Uranio recalled that at that time "1,800 oaks were started in order to prepare the land for the mining facilities planned in Retortillo", an action, which according to the platform, "needed an urban license that the mining company lacks, reason why the City council of Retortillo would have to have paralyzed the felling and to have restored the urban legality".
(Tribuna de Salamanca Dec. 19, 2018)
The Superior Court of Justice of Castilla y León, TSJ, has rejected the appeal filed by an environmental group opposed to the Retortillo mining project against the 2018 judgment of the Administrative Litigation Court Number 1 of Salamanca on the felling of oaks, agreeing with the City Council, headed by Mayor Eustaquio Martín, in his performance. (Gaceta de Salamanca Nov. 29, 2020)
Government confirms abandonment of Retortillo uranium mine project: The Government has confirmed, through a response in the Senate, the abandonment of the project of the uranium mine in Alameda de Gardón (Salamanca) by the Berkeley company , since it has not presented the required documentation on environmental impact and public information. (EFE Oct. 22, 2018)
2,000 people demonstrate against Retortillo uranium mine project: On Oct. 20, 2018, more than 2,000 people, according to the organizers, have supported in Vitigudino (Salamanca) a demonstration against the project of the uranium mine of Retortillo, convened by the farmers of the province, and supported by the Stop Uranio platform and 42 municipalities in western Salamanca. (EFE Oct. 20, 2018)
Provincial council opposes town planning license for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Diputación de Salamanca (Provincial council of Salamanca) issued an unfavorable report on the town planning license that Australian mining company Berkeley needs to open the uranium mine in Salamanca, according to an internal report by the legal service that Reuters has had access to.
The failure to obtain the license would be a major setback for the company, which is listed in the United Kingdom, Australia and Spain and does not manage any other project.
The 12-page report, dated July 16, 2018, is mandatory but not binding. However, it makes it politically very difficult for the City Council of Retortillo to give the town planning license, since it would leave the way open for legal recourse against the decision.
(Reuters Oct. 17, 2018)
Spain to block Retortillo uranium mine project - sources: The Spanish government has decided not to deliver the permits necessary to open the European Union's only open-cast uranium mine near Salamanca, dealing a serious blow to Australian mining company Berkeley Energía's plans. The project was granted preliminary approval in early 2013 but has since faced local opposition. (Reuters Oct. 16, 2018)
CSN raises questions about waste management at proposed Retortillo uranium mine project:
The CSN (Nuclear Safety Council) has decided to halt the processing of the construction permits for the uranium mine project plant that the Berkeley company wants to undertake in Retortillo, Salamanca. This was reported to the company last July by the CSN, according to the supervisor's sources, when he requested additional information. It was decided to paralyze the process of analyzing the "supporting documentation" of the request for the construction of the industrial plant associated with the project. In addition, the supervisor also has significant doubts about the future management of waste.
The problem of radioactive waste, which in its latest proposal Berkeley intended to store in the "mining hole", is the big headache for those responsible. And the CSN's doubts about the proposed solution are serious. This was transmitted by the supervisory body to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition on July 25 in an 11-page report.
Explains the CSN in that document, which has posted on its website, that the company "plans to fill the pit left" by the "mine of uranium with sterile from the mine itself and sterile resulting from the process of uranium ore concentrate, coming from a radioactive installation of the nuclear fuel cycle located at another location". This would suppose, according to the CSN, to convert "the aforementioned mining pit into a definitive storage of radioactive waste".
(El País Sep. 14, 2018)
Several thousand people demonstrate against Retortillo uranium mine project: Summoned by the City Council of the town, several thousand people showed this Saturday (Aug. 25) in Villavieja de Yeltes their rejection of the uranium mine, a project that the company Berkeley Minera aims to carry out in Campo Charro, more specifically in the municipality of Retortillo, at first. (Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día Aug. 25, 2018)
500 people demonstrate against Retortillo uranium mine project: More than half a thousand people have supported the fourth annual mobilization called by Stop Uranio in La Fuente de San Esteban to reject the uranium mine project. (Tribuna de Salamanca Aug. 18, 2018)
Portuguese Parliament demands study on cross-border impacts of Retortillo uranium mine project: The Portuguese Parliament has approved a Resolution recommending to its Government that it carry out the necessary measures to prevent the exploration of uranium in Salamanca and a cross-border environmental impact study be carried out, according to the Stop Uranio collective. (Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día June 27, 2018)
Lower House of Spanish Parliament calls for suspension of Retortillo uranium mine project:
As reported by EFE this morning, Congress today called on the Government unanimously to paralyze the Berkeley company's project to build a uranium mine in the Salamanca town of Retortillo.
The Lower House has unanimously approved today a report on the activities of the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) that includes numerous resolutions on nuclear energy and, among them, several related to the future of this mining facility.
In this sense, the report that has been approved by the Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda Commission asks the Executive to provide all the information of the project to the Government of Portugal as an interested party, in view of the impact that the installation of this facility would entail.
(Radio Salamanca June 13, 2018)
Thousands protest in province capital of Salamanca against Retortillo uranium mine project and nuclear power: Thousands of people have gone back to the streets this June 9 to say no to the uranium mine and nuclear energy. A protest promoted by the Iberian Antinuclear Movement with which they wanted to demand the new government to stop the project of the uranium mine in Retortillo and the definitive closure of the country's nuclear power plants. (Tribuna de Salamanca June 9, 2018)
Protest march held from province capital of Salamanca to Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Antinuclear Salamanca Assembly took advantage of the Holy Week celebrations to call a march of activists opposed to the implantation of the Berkeley Mining uranium mine in Salamanca that ran from the capital to the area where the mine is to be implanted.
The march left Salamanca on Wednesday (Mar. 28) in the direction of Retortillo, on foot, and with different stops in the province. Barbadillo, Boada, Los Encinitos and the place of implantation of the mine were some of the areas through which the small march passed, which adds to the rest of mobilizations and demonstrations that have been taking place in recent months in Salamanca, capital and province, to stop the project of Berkeley Minera in Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes.
(Cadena SER Apr. 2, 2018)
Ombudsman suggests review of wastewater discharge authorization issued for proposed Retortillo uranium mine: After several denunciations made by the Senator of Compromís, Carlos Mulet, against the authorization of discharge to the river Yeltes granted by the Duero Hydrographic Confederation (CHD) relative to the mining project that is located in the municipality of Retortillo, the Ombudsman has suggested reviewing this authorization, dated May 9, 2016, "including in it the considerations issued by the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) on the Environmental Radiological Surveillance Program (PVRA) and the Groundwater Monitoring and Control Program (PVCAS) presented by the Berkeley company." (Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día, Mar. 27, 2018)
About 5000 people demonstrate in province capital of Salamanca against Retortillo uranium mine project: On Saturday February 24 have been heard again in the streets of Salamanca screams as "The people united will never be defeated," "We are people, we are not spoils" or "more uranium, more cancer." According to police sources consulted by the Cadena SER, the call of the Coordinator No to the Uranium Mine has gathered in the capital of Salamanca about 5 thousand people under the slogan "No to the mine, Yes to life." There has been support from collectives and antinuclear platforms of Portugal, Extremadura and different localities of Castilla y León. (Cadena SER Feb. 24, 2018)
Portugal asks for a meeting with Spain to talk about Retortillo uranium mine project:
Portugal's environment minister, João Matos Fernandes, has requested a meeting with his Spanish counterpart, Isabel García Tejerina, to address the possible environmental impact of the uranium mine that is to be opened in the Salamanca town of Retortillo, some 40 kilometers away from the Spanish-Portuguese border.
Matos Fernandes has explained in the Portuguese Parliament that, although Madrid "has given guarantees" that the project "is not yet licensed", wants to have more information to ensure that it will not have environmental impacts for Portugal in case of going ahead. Likewise, he questioned whether the existing protocol is being applied to evaluate this impact when it comes to projects near the border.
(ABC Feb. 21, 2018)
Spanish groups support Portuguese demand to open EIA process for Retortillo uranium mine project to public consultation in neighboring Portugal:
EQUO, Podemos, IU, PSOE and Ciudadanos support the opening of the environmental impact assessment of the Retortillo mine open to public consultation in Portugal.
They want a period of public information to be opened in Portugal so that allegations can be presented by "the interested public and all the entities to whom the project may be interested".
"On Monday Feb. 19, a meeting of representatives and public officials from Portugal and Spain took place in Retortillo to check on the ground and exchange information about the projects that the Australian company Berkeley wants to install in Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes, and a few kilometers away of the Portuguese border: an open-cast uranium mine, with a uranium treatment plant and a radioactive waste deposit, considered first-class facilities in the Spanish nuclear fuel cycle," Equo said in a press release.
"The Junta de Castilla y León determined that the facilities planned in Retortillo would not have environmental effects in Portugal, so the Environmental Impact Assessment was not submitted to public information in the neighboring country. The approved Environmental Impact Statement does not make any reference to the consequences that the opening of the mine will have for the Portuguese territory, but the Portuguese Environmental Agency considers that it will have them in the Portuguese territory due to the regime of winds and the possible contamination of the waters of the Yeltes River, a tributary from the 'Douro vinhaterio', from which two million Portuguese are nourished", they say.
(Tribuna de Salamanca Feb. 20, 2018)
Several hundred people demonstrate against Retortillo uranium mine project: Several hundred people have demonstrated this Saturday (Jan. 27) in the town of Lumbrales to show their rejection of the uranium mine projected by the Berkeley company in the municipality of Retortillo. Also, another of the objectives of the call was to show their criticism towards the municipal government team of Lumbrales for not having signed the manifesto to which 40 municipalities have adhered against the mine or to have shown against in the plenary session of the Corporation. (Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día, Jan. 28, 2018)
Judge dismisses complaint for libel filed by Berkeley against blogger of Stop Uranio platform:
The Court of First Instance and Instruction nº 1 of Ciudad Rodrigo has decreed the dismissal, with the file of the actions taken, of the complaint for insults presented by Berkeley Minera España S.L. against the blogger and activist of the Stop Uranio platform, Jesús Cruz Fernández. The Australian multinational considered that in the blog of Cruz information and comments were spread that offended the honor of the company and its workers, putting at risk the 80 million euros that it claims to have invested in the area.
However, the judge decides that the material published in the blog jesusenlared.blogspot.com does not have the 'animus injuriandi' that requires a certain behavior to be considered criminal, safeguarding the fundamental right to freedom of expression recognized in the Constitution.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día, Jan. 24, 2018)
Construction of Retortillo uranium mine project to start in 2018: On Dec. 12, 2017, Berkeley Energía announced it has awarded contracts to construction company Sánchez y Lago as the contract miner and engineering firm Amec Foster Wheeler as a general contractor for the construction of the mine, plant and associated infrastructure. The contracts are expected to be executed in the new year, with mobilization of equipment to occur shortly thereafter.
Stop Uranio Civic Platform is awarded Vía Apia 2017 prize:
The Association of journalists of environmental information (APIA) has awarded the Vía Apia 2017 prize to the Stop Uranio Citizen Platform for having stood out in its collaboration and facilities for the development of the informative work of professionals working in that journalistic specialty.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día, Nov. 29, 2017)
Demonstration in province capital of Salamanca against Retortillo uranium mine project: On Nov. 26, 2017, different groups have demonstrated in Salamanca against the uranium mine project of Retortillo, in an act called by the City Council of Villavieja de Yeltes in collaboration with Stop Uranio or the Salamanca Antinuclear Collective, among others. The march has departed from the Plaza de Anaya, ending in the Plaza Mayor. (Salamanca RTV al día Nov. 26, 2017)
About 1000 people demonstrate against Retortillo uranium mine project:
About a thousand people, according to the organizers, gathered on Saturday (Oct. 28) in Villavieja de Yeltes to show their disapproval of the mining project for the extraction of uranium promoted by Berkeley. The attendees, summoned by the City Council and groups opposed to the project, walked the path between the courtyard of CRA Río Yeltes and the area of the fronton, where you could see the lands of Zone 7 in which the mining company intends to extract ore for processing in the plant planned in Retortillo.
[...] Similarly, the creation of the No Mina Coordinator was reported, an organization that has set as its main objective to hold a demonstration in the capital of Salamanca next February, as well as a program of holding informative activities to raise awareness among the population about the negative effects of the project for the region, according to the opponents of the project.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día, Oct. 28, 2017)
More than 300 people demonstrate against Retortillo uranium mine and Zona 7 extension: More than 300 people gathered this Saturday (Sep. 30) in the town of Villavieja de Yeltes to protest against the expansion of the uranium mining project known as Zone 7, located a few meters from the center of this town and which the mining company Berkeley promotes covered in the Mining Law of 1973, as well as the project of extraction and processing of the mineral that is located in Retortillo. (Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día, Sep. 30, 2017)
Superior Court admits appeal filed by city council against waste water discharge permit for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Superior Court of Justice of Castilla y León (TSJCyL) has admitted to the administrative appeal filed by the Town Council of Villavieja de Yeltes against the resolution of the Duero Hydrographic Confederation (CHD) to authorize the discharge of waste water from of the project for the extraction and treatment of uranium minerals within the limits of Retortillo and Villavieja, requested by the company Berkeley Minera España.
On January 20, 2016, the CHD issued a decision on 'Authorization for the discharge of wastewater' from the uranium mining and extraction operation requested by Berkeley in the municipalities of Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes. Just twenty days later, on February 11, the City of Villavieja presented allegations against the proposal and the CHD resolved dismissing them in their entirety, which resulted in the City Council formalizing, on June 23 of that same year, a reinstatement appeal against the resolution of discharge authorization. Again, on May 3, 2017 the CHD dismissed all the allegations made by the City of Villavieja de Yeltes, which ended the administrative route. Dissatisfied with this resolution, on July 7, 2017, the City Council presented to the Supreme Court of Castilla y León a contentious-administrative appeal against this decision, which admitted it to proceed and was thus communicated to the Consistory on Monday, September 4.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día, Sep. 8, 2017)
Attorney General criticizes Berkeley and state government for holding back EIS on Retortillo uranium mine project: The prosecutor of the Joint Group of the Courts of Castilla y León and regional coordinator of IU-Equo, José Sarrión, has criticized that neither the Berkeley company nor the Spanish State have allowed the European Commission to publish official information concerning the mine project of uranium that the company wants to launch in Retortillo. (Tribuna de Salamanca Sep. 4, 2017)
Attorney General urges regional government to draft new EIS on Retortillo uranium mine project:
In response to complaints filed against the uranium mining and extraction project promoted by the company Berkeley in the municipality of Retortillo, the Common Prosecutor of Castilla y León has issued a resolution urging the Junta de Castilla y León to initiate a new environmental impact assessment procedure on the project.
The resolution is based on the fact that the project has undergone major modifications after the EIS was prepared.
The resolution is not binding, but it puts more doubts on the project and opens the legal way more.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día, Aug. 31, 2017)
Oman to fund Retortillo uranium mine project: On Aug. 30, 2017, Berkeley Energía announced that it has entered into an investment agreement with the sovereign wealth fund of the Sultanate of Oman agreeing to invest up to US$120 million to fully fund the Salamanca mine into production. The investment will position the fund as a long term strategic investor in the Company as well as a potential offtake partner.
500 people demonstrate against Retortillo uranium mine project: About 500 participants joined a protest gathering held by the Stop Uranio platform in La Fuente de San Esteban against the Retortillo uranium mine project. (Tribuna de Salamanca Aug. 19, 2017)
Retortillo uranium mine project obtains construction permit:
The Territorial Commission for the Environment and Urbanism, at its meeting held on Thursday (July 20), approved the solitude presented by the mining company Berkeley for the change of exceptional use of rustic soil of the lands on which the mining project for the extraction of uranium In the municipality of Retortillo. For this, it has been necessary to qualify this public interest project and it has been agreed by the majority of the members of the commission formed by representatives of different administrations and entities, as well as social agents.
This decision will allow the mining company Berkeley to begin construction of the project's mining facilities, so that the company shows its "satisfaction in confirming the excellent work that has been carried out during these 10 years." For the mining company, "this resolution confirms our investment in the project, which allows us to accelerate the hiring process by creating more than 2,500 direct and indirect jobs in a region suffering from high levels of unemployment."
In this sense, the miner recalls that "to date, we have invested more than 70 million euros in the project, with the highest standards of quality in the environment, health and safety, and we will continue in this line, with the Idea of investing more than 250 million euros in the next years".
For their part, some mayors of the region consider that this decision of the Commission has been adopted "against the majority opinion of the inhabitants of the area" represented by about 40 mayors who are opposed to the project.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día, July 20, 2017)
European Commission opens investigation into Retortillo uranium mine:
The European Commission has opened an investigation into Spain about the uranium mine that an Australian multinational tries to exploit in a depopulated region of Salamanca, a few kilometers from the border with Portugal. If inaugurated, it would be the only open-cast mining of this radioactive mineral in Western Europe. Brussels is investigating whether the project complies with various provisions of European Union legislation, including the Environmental Impact Directive and the Habitats Directive.
The investigation has opened "following several complaints and written questions," says European Commissioner for the Environment, Karmenu Vella, in a written response to the European Parliament, which has been accessed by El País. The Habitats directive protects the natural environments and populations of wild species of the European Union. The Environmental Impact Directive assesses the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment.
Vella's reply states that "in accordance with the Habitats Directive, any project that may have a significant impact on a Natura 2000 site must be properly evaluated", adding that countries can only approve one of those Projects "if they have verified that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the place in question".
The uranium mine which is being exploited by the Berkeley company will affect two areas protected by Natura 2000, the European environmental network: a LIC (Community Interest Site) and a SPA (Special Bird Protection Area). There is also evidence in the area of several species of protected fauna, such as the black stork, the kite and the alimoche, endangered or classified as "vulnerable", according to the positive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Project the Junta de Castilla y León.
The European Commission also recalls in its written reply that Spain has not fulfilled its obligation to inform Brussels properly of such a project. Uranium mining is an operation which falls within the scope of Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty and therefore obliges the licensing Member State to submit all relevant information. "The Commission has reminded Spain of this obligation," said the reply, dated 26 June.
(El País July 5, 2017)
Territorial Commission grants another six months to answer submissions filed against change of land use requested for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Territorial Commission of Environment and Urbanism of Salamanca has decided to maintain the suspension of the procedure of 'Authorization of exceptional use in rustic soil' for the uranium mine of Retortillo until the more than 1,500 allegations presented in the process of public information are answered out.
It has also decided that it is the Territorial Development Service of the Junta de Castilla y León in Salamanca that resolves these allegations in the absence of response to them by the City of Retortillo, among other reasons, the absence of the secretary. Therefore, it has been agreed to grant a period of six months in order that the allegations are answered by technical staff.
(Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día May 25, 2017)
Court authorizes cutting of oak trees for Retortillo uranium mine project: Berkeley will continue with the task of opening the uranium mine in Retortillo after Administrative Litigation Court number 2 has authorized the company to do so. This has been confirmed by sources of the multinational who, after the oral hearing last Wednesday, has obtained judicial permission to carry out these tasks. Among the work is the logging of oaks, one of the reasons given by environmental organizations and led the same court to suspend them in a precautionary manner. (Tribuna de Salamanca Apr. 28, 2017)
Court preliminarily suspends cutting of oak trees for Retortillo uranium mine project: In response to the request made by the Stop Uranium Platform, the Court of Administrative Litigation number 2 of Salamanca has ordered the company Berkeley to cease oak logging as a precautionary measure until the preview that will take place on April 26. (Salamanca RTV al día - Las Arribes al día Apr. 19, 2017)
Berkeley continues cutting of oaks in spite of government suspension of construction works at Retortillo uranium mine:
The Ministry of Energy has suspended the procedure of authorization of the construction of the plant of Retortillo "indefinitely" until the Nuclear Safety Council decides on it. It ordered to stop all preparatory work, including oak logging.
The Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda has suspended the procedure of authorization of the construction of the plant of Retortillo (Salamanca) "indefinitely" until the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) issues a mandatory report. So the Government has replied in writing to a parliamentary question from the deputy of the Unidos Podemos-En comú Podem-En Mare, Juan López de Uralde, in connection with the construction of the aforementioned plant, considered by the regulatory body "first category radioactive installation".
However, López de Uralde explained to Europa Press that the holding company, Berkeley Minera, despite the suspension, has "continued with its plans", which includes "the harvesting of hundreds of centenarian oaks in the place of its construction". Therefore, it demands from the Government "the immediate stoppage of all the works that Berkeley is doing in the area of Retortillo."
(Tribuna de Salamanca Mar. 28, 2017)
Provincial Prosecutor investigates alleged lack of permits for construction works at Retortillo uranium mine: Now, the Provincial Prosecutor of Salamanca has admitted to processing the complaint filed by the Stop Uranium platform on February 17 on the beginning of construction of the project without allegedly having the relevant documents and permits. (El País Mar. 17, 2017)
Several hundred people protest against massive felling of oaks for Retortillo uranium mine project:
Several hundreds of people have supported this Sunday (Mar. 5) in the town of Retortillo the protest convened by the Salamanca Antinuclear Collective and the Stop Uranium Platform against the massive felling of oaks that is being carried out by the mining company Berkeley in order to construct an open pit uranium mine in this place.
For the groups opposing the project, "several generations of inhabitants of the region will miss the opportunity to enjoy a unique space, because, even if oaks are replanted, due to their slow growth it will take at least a century to leave the area as it has been until a mining company laid eyes on this corner of Salamanca."
(Las Arribes al día, Mar. 5, 2017)
WWF denounces to the European Commission the largest uranium mine in Europe at Retortillo in the heart of a protected area: WWF has sent a report to the European Commission denouncing the serious environmental impacts of the construction of the largest uranium mine and mill in Europe by the Australian mining company Berkeley Energía in the Red Natura 2000 area "Riberas de los Ríos Huebras, Yeltes, Uces and tributaries", in Salamanca. Among the most serious impacts is the probable extinction of the Salmon sardine, a protected species of fish. The organization strongly opposes this project which will lead to the destruction of a Red Natura 2000 area with unique habitats, but it will also put the local economy at risk, immediately ending traditional activities such as cattle farming or rural and thermal tourism . (WWF Spain, Feb. 6, 2017)
Construction of Retortillo uranium mill to start in first quarter of 2017: The Australian company Berkeley announced Tuesday (Dec. 6) in London that, thanks to the recent $ 30 million capital increase it has made, it has completed the acquisition of "main plots" needed for the construction of the mine that it wants to start up in the town of Rertortillo. Berkeley currently owns "more than 500 hectares of land", which includes - according to the company - most of the infrastructure work and the ore processing plant, in addition to the electrical substation, Storage of reagents and buildings. The company plans to begin construction of the ore processing plant by the end of the first quarter of 2017. (Salamanca RTV al día, Dec. 7, 2016)
Retortillo spa users protest against uranium mine project, declare mayor and mining company "non grata": On Nov. 10, 2016, a protest was held at the Retortillo spa against the uranium mine project. 156 users, currently lodged in the spa, gathered outside the spa to show their protest. They also prepared a letter declaring the mayor of Retortillo and the mining company "non grata" - in response to the city council's decision to declare two members of the Platform Stop Uranium "persona non grata". (Salamanca RTV al día, Nov. 10, 2016)
500 people demonstrate against Retortillo uranium mine project:
Around five hundred people, according to the convener Platform Stop Uranium, gathered on Sunday (Oct. 30) at Berkeley Minera's facilities in Retortillo to protest against the opening of the uranium mine in this location.
The protest was attended by representatives and municipal officials from different political parties (PSOE, IU, CAN, EQUO) plus inhabitants of nearby towns such as Villavieja de Yeltes, Villares de Yeltes, Boada and Yecla de Yeltes, who "have been the protagonists of this day of struggle". These were joined by several property owners affected by the mine and the diversion of the road, opposed to the project, and who refuse to sell their land to the mining company.
(Salamanca RTV al día, Oct. 30, 2016)
Retortillo city council declares two members of the Stop Uranium Platform and the platform itself "persona non grata": The full City Council of Retortillo has unanimously approved - with the votes in favor of the Socialist and Popular groups - to declare 'persona non grata' the activists Jesús Cruz and José Ramón Barrueco and the Platform Stop Uranium, people who have shown on several occasions their discomfort with the reopening of the uranium mine in the town. (Tribuna de Salamanca Oct. 18, 2016)
Retortillo city council plans to declare two members of the Stop Uranium Platform "persona non grata": The municipality of the town of Retortillo in Salamanca will declare non grata two members of the Platform Stop Uranium and the platform itself in the next plenary session, to be held on October 18 at 13.00 in that municipality. The persons in question are Jesús Cruz and José Ramón Barrueco, activists and opponents of the Retortillo uranium mine. (Tribuna de Salamanca Oct. 15, 2016)
More than 1000 people demonstrate against Retortillo uranium mine project: At a demonstration held in Zamora on Oct. 9, more than 1000 people protested against the neglect of the provinces of Salamanca, Zamora, and León, and demanded the stop of the Retortillo uranium mine project. (Salamanca RTV al día Oct. 10, 2016)
Residents of adjacent town unanimously file arguments against Retortillo uranium mine project:
Up to 182 residents of the town of Yecla de Yeltes have presented arguments to prevent the Retortillo City Council to approve the exceptional use of rural land and a planning permission for the uranium mining project promoted by Berkeley Minera España S.L. in that locality. In the brief they argue that there are errors that would invalidate the process of public participation and that the project affects the Natura 2000 network and fails to comply with the rules of the European Union.
It should be noted that Yecla de Yeltes has 276 registered inhabitants and the presentation of 182 claims accounts for 66% of the census, and when taking into account the number of minors and those who actually reside elsewhere, the degree of rejection could described as unanimous.
This same case, or very similar happens in Villares de Yeltes, Villavieja de Yeltes, or Bogajo, to name a few, places all of them in which its inhabitants are very sensitive against this project to potential risks that could result in the disposal of radioactive waste as a result of mining activity or the use of large amounts of water for the extraction of uranium.
(Las Arribes al día, Sep. 23, 2016)
Road blockade in protest against Retortillo uranium mine project: The Platform Stop Uranium has focused on Saturday [Aug. 20] at 13.00 at the junction of La Fuente de San Esteban, cutting off the N-620, in protest against mining projects that the Australian company Berkeley wants to develop in the west of the province of Salamanca. (Salamanca RTV al día Aug. 20, 2016)
Positive Definitive Feasiblity Study announced for Salamanca uranium mine project:
On July 14, 2016, Berkeley Energía announced that an "independent Study has confirmed the Salamanca project as one of the world's lowest cost producers capable of generating strong after tax cash flow through the current low point in the uranium price cycle."
> Calculate Mine Feasibility
No reconciliation reached on Berkeley's claim for EUR 500,000 in damages from two activists against Retortillo uranium mine project: As expected, the act of conciliation in the Courts of Ciudad Rodrigo ended without reconciliation. Berkeley now must decide whether to go ahead with the lawsuit, claiming 500,000 euros compensation for damages. (Salamanca RTV al día June 22, 2016)
Groups reject Berkeley's claim for EUR 500,000 in damages from two activists against Retortillo uranium mine project: The response of Equo, Podemos, IU and Ganemos has been a resounding rejection of the demand of the company Berkeley, which claims 500,000 euros compensation for damages from two members of the Stop Uranio platform, Jesús Cruz and José Ramón Berrueco. Both are cited on June 22 in the Courts of Ciudad Rodrigo for an act of conciliation, in which no agreement is expected. (Salamanca RTV al día May 28, 2016)
Protest in Madrid against Salamanca uranium mine project: About thirty people from the project area have demonstrated Thursday (May 5) in Madrid against the opening of the uranium mine planned by Berkeley in the towns of Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes. The protest coincided with the presentation of Berkeley's mining project at the School of Mining Engineers in Madrid. The Stop Uranium platform called for the stoppage of the only project in Europe to establish a uranium mine. (Las Arribes al día, May 6, 2016)
National Court admits appeal against authorization for preliminary infrastructure works at Retortillo uranium mine project: The National Court declared admissible an appeal against the authorization given by the Ministry of Industry in September 2015. The appeal was lodged by Equo and Ecologistas en Acción. (El País Apr. 28, 2016)
50 municipalities oppose Salamanca uranium mine project:
The municipalities integrated in the Commonwealth of Yeltes, Villavieja, Villares de Yeltes, Moronta, Bogajo, Fuenteliante, Pozos de Hinojo and Yecla de Yeltes, managed the interest of fifty mayors of the western part of the province Thursday (Apr. 14) in their position against the proposal of mining company Berkeley for the extraction and treatment of uranium in the municipalities of Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes.
The mayor of the latter town, Jorge Rodríguez, spoke for the Commonwealth to ask the mayors' support in order to urge the Council of Salamanca to take action on behalf of the people and work to prevent the project of Berkeley from continuing, exposing legal reasons that could paralyze the creation of an open pit mine with sky storage of radioactive waste.
(Las Arribes al día Apr. 14, 2016)
Mayor of Retortillo resigns for lack of support in fight against Salamanca uranium mine project:
The controversial project to develop a uranium mine in Salamanca, a few kilometers from the border with Portugal, now has a political conflict that has left the municipality of Retortillo without mayor. Lorenzo Calderón, who won election last May with the PSOE [Spanish Socialist Workers' Party], has resigned from his posts as a mayor and as a councilman for "loss of confidence" of his fellow candidates of PSOE, as he says in a letter presented Tuesday (Mar. 29) in the City Council.
His resignation, in a village of just 250 inhabitants in a rural and very unpopulated region, would have no greater significance if it were not on the background of the uranium mine. According to the plans of the company Berkeley Minera Spain, a subsidiary of Australian giant [?!?] Berkeley, this mainly agricultural and ranching community is going to host the only open pit uranium mine across Europe.
Calderón acknowledges that he leaves because he was left alone in the fight against the mining project in the City Council, made up of five councilors, three PSOE (including the mayor) and two PP [People's Party]. His two companions began voting with the PP, and against Calderón when he publicly positioned himself against the uranium mine.
(El País Mar. 31, 2016)
Salamanca uranium mine project obtains water use permits: The Duero River Basin Authority has granted the Australian company Berkeley two separate water use permits for the projects of mining and processing of uranium that the company wants to develop in the west of the province of Salamanca. These permits, which were requested in September 2013, allow Berkeley an annual use of up to 1,337,455 cubic meters of water. One of the permits is for surface water, the other for groundwater. (Ciudad Rodrigo al día Mar. 31, 2016)
Opponents of Salamanca uranium mine project plant oak tree:
On Saturday (Mar. 26), partners and supporters of the Stop Uranium platform held a symbolic act of protest in Villavieja de Yeltes against the construction of an open pit uranium mine in the municipalities of Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes (Santidad).
This time the activity was planting an oak.
After noon, residents of Villavieja de Yeltes, Villares de Yeltes, Boada, Retortillo, Sancti-Spíritus and other nearby towns went to the place. Also present were the Mayor of Retortillo, Lorenzo Calderón, the Board of the Platform Stop Uranium and several workers of the Retortillo spa. In addition, some of these were accompanied by their young children.
As noted by the protagonists, "the important thing was to make the hole and plant with our own hands a seedling so that in the future it becomes a sturdy oak and is the symbol of a victory for common sense against the barbarity of this uranium mine project with uranium processing plant and storage of radioactive waste notch, which is planned to be installed in this enviable region of Campo Charro."
Stop Uranium wants to repeat this act every Holy Saturday.
(Salamanca RTV al día Mar. 27, 2016)
Infrastructure development commences at Salamanca uranium mine project:
On March 15, 2016, Berkeley Energía Ltd announced that the commencement of development of the Salamanca project is now underway. The company has selected infrastructure contractors to initiate work. Activities on the ground will commence shortly.
The contracts include the re-routing of the existing electrical power line to service the project and a four kilometre realignment of an existing road to allow for the commencement of mining of the Retortillo pit.
On July 27, 2016, Berkeley Energía Ltd announced that work has now commenced on the road realignment and power line upgrade ahead of the main construction.
European Commission reminds Spain to keep an eye on the decommissioning provisions for proposed Salamanca uranium mine, questions project's economic feasibility:
The European Commission, in charge of studying the project of exploitation of the uranium mine in Retoritillo, in its report of May 25, 2015 reminds the Government and the company Berkeley 'look' into the "the need to clearly define the responsibilities for the mine closure, post-closure monitoring and, where appropriate, any necessary rehabilitation measures as well as to ensure adequate and timely availability of funds reserved for such activities.
In the section on project financing, the Commission understands that the investor calculates a operating cost of about $ 28.80 / lb of uranium product, a figure that is below the average cost of producing uranium mines in the world, an aspect which continues to be striking as ENUSA left the project for its expected economic infeasibility.
Moreover, Berkeley anticipated, according to the report of the Commission, that the uranium price that can be obtained on the market is $ 56.40 / lb for this project, with which the company would be viable from a commercial point of view. However, the Commission notes that "if the long-term price of natural uranium approaches the recent spot price, the economic arguments for the operation of the mine would be less convincing."
(Las Arribes al día Feb. 25, 2016)
Updated Pre-Feasibility Study claims improved economics for Berkeley's Salamanca uranium mine project: On Nov. 4, 2015, Berkeley Energy announced that inclusion of the Zona 7 deposit into an updated Pre-Feasibility Study "has transformed the economics of the Salamanca project." The study is based on a uranium price of US$ 65 per lb U3O8. Start of construction is expected in mid-2016, with first production in 2017 and a mine life of 17.5 years.
Group complains about poor practice in exploratory drilling at Retortillo uranium deposit:
The platform Stop Uranio denounces Berkeley Spain for "poor practice" in the implemention and restoration of uranium exploration drill holes made on land in the municipality of Villavieja de Yeltes.
As pointed out by this group in a statement, the "poor practice" is based on grounds such as that the company "is making discharges, uncontrolled deposit and abandonment of mining waste [...]"
(Salamanca RTV al día Oct. 13, 2015)
Berkeley strongly rejected the allegations "because they are false, lacking the slightest technical and legal rigor and confuse the research work that Berkeley has performed in the Exploration Permit Alisos with the work that Berkeley is to perform in the Mining Concession Retortillo-Santidad".
(Salamanca RTV al día Oct. 14, 2015)
Spanish Cabinet denies municipality the right to hold referendum on proposed Retortillo uranium mine:
The Cabinet today approved an agreement which does not authorize the municipality of Retortillo (Salamanca) to conduct a referendum on the proposed uranium mining in the municipality.
(ABC Oct. 9, 2015)
> Download Cabinet press release Oct. 9, 2015 (58k PDF - in Spanish)
Berkeley trains residents at Retortillo uranium mine project in use of explosives: The Australian company Berkeley, who wants to carry out an ambitious mining project in the western province of Salamanca, has taught in the town of Retortillo - of the hand of the supplier of explosives Maxam - a 'Safety course in handling explosives for obtaining a gunner's certification'. (Salamanca RTV al día Oct. 8, 2015)
Radiological Analytical Study for Retortillo uranium mine project obtains approval: Berkeley reports that the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) approved on September 30 the Radiological Analytical Study of the project. This study allows to theoretically estimate the potential radiological impact on the population and the environment of the project as a whole (including the mining and processing plant). (Salamanca RTV al día Oct. 8, 2015)
Ministry issues authorization for preliminary infrastructure works at Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Ministry of Industry has awarded Berkeley prior authorization for the radioactive facility Retortillo project. This authorization confirms the official recognition of the proposed objective and the "suitability of the site chosen" whose acquisition entitles the holder to apply for the construction permit for the installation and start preliminary works of infrastructure, in line with the permits granted in the previous licensing phase.
(Las Arribes al día Sep. 25, 2015)
> View Authorization in Official Gazette of Sep. 25, 2015 (in Spanish)
Regional parliament commission demands review of EIS for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The Commission of Development and Environment of the regional legislature of Cortes de Castilla y León adopted at its session on Wednesday (Sep. 16) a proposition of law that calls for the Junta de Castilla y Leon to review the environmental impact statement given to the project of open pit uranium mines that the Australian company Berkeley wants to develop in the towns of Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes.
The proposition of law was filed by attorney Joseph Sarrión (IU-Equo), considering that the proposed uranium mine originally submitted did not contain radioactive waste storage or treatment of uranium ore brought from other mines.
This proposition of law must now be submitted to a vote in the House of the Parliament of Cortes de Castilla y León.
(Salamanca RTV al día Sep. 17, 2015)
On Oct. 8, 2015, the House of the Parliament of Cortes de Castilla y León voted against the proposition of law. The governing Partido Popular was the only party voting against it, while all opposition parties supported it. (Salamanca RTV al día Oct. 9, 2015)
Name change of Berkeley Resources Ltd: On July 31, 2015, Berkeley Resources Ltd changed its name to Berkeley Energy Ltd.
250 people hold road blockade in protest against Retortillo uranium mine project: The National road 620 remained closed for about an hour on late Saturday (Aug. 22) morning as a result of a demonstration called by the Platform Stop Uranium against the Australian company Berkeley that wants to develop mining projects in the municipalities of Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes. According to the organizers, about 250 people attended the rally. (Ciudad Rodrigo al día Aug. 22, 2015)
200 people gather in opposition to Retortillo uranium mine project: On Aug. 4, 2015, 200 people gathered in the town square of Retortillo to express their opposition to the Retortillo uranium mine project and listen to alternative proposals. (Las Arribes al día Aug. 5, 2015)
Proposed process plant for Salamanca uranium mine project receives favourable CSN report:
On July 20, 2015, Berkeley Resources Ltd announced that the Nuclear Safety Council (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear ) has issued a favourable report for the grant of the Initial Authorisation of the proposed process plant as a radioactive facility.
This is the first in a three step process required to authorize the plant for operation.
Waste water discharge permit requested for Retortillo uranium mine project:
The company Berkeley Minera España has requested permission from the Confederación Hidrográfica del Duero to dump wastewater from mining and processing of uranium ore into river Yeltes and stream Caganchas.
Following application by Berkeley, the Confederación Hidrográfica del Duero has opened a period of 30 days for the submission of possible arguments for those who consider themselves affected by the request of Berkeley.
(Las Arribes al día June 5, 2015)
Planning Commission rejects Berkeley's application to treat Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes as separate mine projects: The Platform Stop Uranio, a group opposed to uranium mining the company Berkeley intends to launch in the municipalities of Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes, welcomes that the Territorial Planning Commission of Salamanca has rejected the application filed by the company for this project to be treated as two separate files according to their location in each of the municipalities. (Las Arribes al día Feb. 5, 2015)
Berkeley Resources fined 8,000 Euros for drilling in Retortillo without permit: The Platform Stop Uranium reported that the mining company Berkeley has been sanctioned by the City Council Retortillo with a fine of 8,000 euros for drilling in the field without having requested the municipal license and therefore lacking a permit. As a result of allegations that this platform made to the competent institutions in October, accompanied by images, Seprona (a unit of the Civil Guard responsible for nature conservation) urged the City Council of Retortillo to arrange a proceeding against Berkeley and to determine the appropriate sanction. The full City Council Retortillo, at its meeting held on December 18, unanimously agreed to fine Berkeley Minera Spain with 8,000 euros, given that it had committed an urban infraction. (Las Arribes al día Jan. 19, 2015)
Protest march in Retortillo against Berkeley's uranium mine project: Around 150 people participated in a march around Retortillo on Dec. 28, 2014, to protest against the uranium mine project proposed by Berkeley Resources. Participants included representatives of associations and political parties such as EQUO, PSOE, Ecologistas en Acción, Spanish Ornithological Society, Farmers Union of Castilla y León, Greenpeace, Balneario de Retortillo workers, and representatives of the City of Boada. (Las Arribes al día Dec. 28, 2014)
115,000 signatures against uranium mine project in Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes handed over to the Ministry of Industry:
The Platform Stop Uranium and EQUO delivered to the Ministry of Industry in Madrid more than 115,000 signatures against the project to establish uranium mines, a processing plant and tailings dumps in Retortillo and Villavieja Yeltes in the province of Salamanca.
112,000 signatures were obtained via Internet (change.org ) and another 3,000 at information stands.
Currently, this project is pending and awaiting the approval of the Ministry of Industry, following a report from the Nuclear Safety Council.
(Tribuna de Salamanca Dec. 5, 2014)
Board rejects Berkeley's request for the use of rural land for its Retortillo-Santidad uranium mine project: The Territorial Committee on Environment and Planning (CTMAU) of the Delegation of the Junta de Castilla y León in Salamanca, at its meeting on Thursday 13 November, has agreed to return to the municipalities of Villavieja de Yeltes and Retortillo the project for which Berkeley requested special authorization for the use of rural land for facilities for open pit uranium mining and, if appropriate, to start the procedure again from the beginning, according to the Platform Stop Uranio. (Salamanca RTV al día, Nov. 13, 2014)
Group files complaint against Berkeley's poor uranium exploration practices at Retortillo-Santidad deposit: The platform Stop Uranium has denounced Berkeley Minera España S.A.U to the Junta de Castilla y León, the Government Office of the Ministry of Industry and the Nuclear Safety Council, for malpractice in the implementation and restoration of uranium exploration and the management of the associated radioactive waste, as performed by the Australian company on land in the municipality of Retortillo, due to impacts on environmental radiology. (La Crónica de Salamanca Nov. 3, 2014)
100,000 signatures collected against Retortillo-Santidad uranium mine project in Salamanca: The platform Stop Uranio this Sunday (Oct. 26) held a rally in the square of Corrillo to collect signatures against the uranium mine that the Australian company Berkeley wants to open in Retortillo-Villavieja. Currently, the platform has already collected 100,000 signatures against the project. (La Crónica de Salamanca Oct. 26, 2014)
City Council of Boada approves motion against Retortillo uranium mill: The full City Council of [neighboring] Boada has approved a motion urging the Nuclear Safety Council not to authorize the operation of the uranium ore processing plant planned in Retortillo and Villavieja de Yeltes. (Salamanca RTV al día, Aug. 9, 2014)
Group launches campaign against licensing of Retortillo-Santidad uranium mine project in Salamanca:
Under the slogan 'NO to uranium, YES to life', the group Ecologistas en Acción has launched a campaign 'Berkeley lies' on Tuesday (Aug. 5). Arian García, member of the group explains that in 2012 the Junta de Castilla y León greenlit geographical studies of the site of Retortillo-Holiness for later concession to operate the mine to the Australian company Berkeley. "A few months ago the study concluded. Already in October 2013, in the absence of the environmental impact statement of the mine, the Board decided to give the award to Berkeley without all the complete information."
(Salamanca RTV al día, Aug. 5, 2014)
City Council of Villavieja halts approval process of Retortillo uranium mining project: After learning that the wastes produced by the uranium mine are not as inert, sterile, and low-risk, as claimed by Berkeley Resources, the City Council of Villavieja de Yeltes has decided to halt the administrative procedure for the approval of the mine, until the company submits additional documentation. (Ciudad Rodrigo al día, June 24, 2014)
Mining licence granted for Retortillo uranium deposit: On Apr. 24, 2014, Berkeley Resources Ltd announced that the Mining Licence for Retortillo has been granted by the Regional Government of Castilla and León. The Retortillo deposit forms part of the company's Salamanca Project. The Mining Licence is valid for an initial period of 30 years and may be renewed for two additional periods of 30 years.
Spanish and Portuguese Greens demand EU to stop reopening of Retortillo uranium mine:
The environmentalists' formations Equo of Spain and Os Verdes of Portugal file a joint complaint in Brussels to "paralyze" the project to reopen uranium mines in Retortillo-Santidad (Salamanca).
They say the project violates several European norms and hurts the area where the mine is to reopen.
(Tribuna de Salamanca Mar. 14, 2014)
Protest in Retortillo against Berkeley's uranium mine project: Over 170 individuals and representatives of various social and political organisations have supported this morning in Retortillo the march organized by Stop Uranium against Berkeley's proposed uranium mine. (Tribuna de Salamanca Dec. 28, 2013)
Ministry of Industry postpones decision on Retortillo uranium mining project, demands assessment of radiological impacts:
The political party EQUO unveiled Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 11) a communication received from the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism on the mining project that the Australian company Berkeley wants to develop in the province of Salamanca.
In this text, the Ministry informs EQUO that it issued on November 8 a Ministerial Order which temporarily suspends the prior authorization of the Retortillo-Santidad plant that Berkeley wants to build.
At least, that permission will not be granted until a year after Berkeley has submitted the information and accreditation the Nuclear Safety Council has demanded.
In particular, Berkeley is required to prepare and present technical studies on the radioactive impact of the open pit uranium mines and the generation and storage of radioactive waste on the environment and on people.
(Ciudad Rodrigo al Día Dec. 11, 2013)
Environmentalists slam Environmental Impact Assessment for proposed mining of Retortillo deposit for failure to assess radiological impacts:
On Nov. 10, 2013, the NGO Ecologistas en Acción submitted its comments to the Territorial Service of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Salamanca for the public inquiry and consultation on the request for a mining concession for the uranium mining project Retortillo-Santidad. The group criticizes, among others, that the Environmental Impact Assessment submitted by the company does not evaluate the doses received from exposure to radon and its decay products, nor the impacts of the release of radionuclides to rivers and groundwater in the long term.
> View Ecologistas en Acción release Nov. 10, 2013 (in Spanish)
> Download Alegaciones minería uranio Salamanca (722k PDF - in Spanish)
Proposed mining of Retortillo deposit "unsustainable and environmentally unsound":
The Platform Stop Uranium has collected the statements of the president of the Duero River Basin Authority (Confederación Hidrográfica del Duero - CHD), José Valín Alonso, and considers that Berkeley's project in Retortillo is "unsustainable and environmentally unsound".
Valín recalled that the granting of surface water for industrial use requested by the Australian mining company is limited, among other factors, "the inability to abstract water from or dump water into the river Yeltes in summer" and that "environmental flows must be observed in each year period." The CHD President referred to the abstraction volume requested by Berkeley, with an annual maximum of close to 345 million liters of water from the river watercourse.
In addition, Stop Uranium has referred to the report issued by the Nuclear Safety Council (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear - CSN), which qualifies the waste from the mining operation and the processing plant of the project Retortillo-Santidad as "radioactive", requiring a "joint and inseparable" radiological assessment of both facilities. This would delay the procedure for one year, to carry out a new assessment based on more information hopefully to be obtained from Berkeley.
(Tribuna de Salamanca Oct. 21, 2013)
> Download: Propuesta de Dictamen técnico sobre la solicitud de otorgamiento de concesión de explotación de los yacimientos de mineral de uranio de Retortillo-Santidad (Salamanca) , July 30, 2013 (633 kB PDF - CSN, in Spanish)
> Download: Propuesta de Dictamen técnico sobre la solicitud de autorización previa de la planta de concentrado de uranio denominada Planta de tratamiento Retortillo en Salamanca , July 30, 2013 (491 kB PDF - CSN, in Spanish)
Environmental licence granted for mining of Retortillo deposit in Salamanca project:
The Ministry of Environment of the Regional Government of Castilla y León has granted a Favourable Declaration of Environmental Impact ('Environmental Licence') for the mining of the Retortillo deposit, which forms part of Berkeley Resources Ltd's Salamanca project.
(Tribuna de Salamanca Oct. 8, 2013; Berkeley Resources Ltd Oct. 8, 2013)
> Download: Disposición BOCYL-D-08102013-6 , Boletín Oficial de Castilla y León, Núm. 194, Martes, 8 de octubre de 2013, Pág. 66270-66312 (5.8MB PDF - in Spanish)
The public platform against the uranium mine in Salamanca (Plataforma contra la mina de uranio de Salamanca) 'Stop Uranium' described the approval of the Environmental Impact Statement as "environmental nightmare".
(Tribuna de Salamanca Oct. 9, 2013)
> View: No a la mina de uranio en Salamanca (in Spanish)
Positive Pre-Feasibility Study announced for Salamanca uranium mine project: On Sep. 26, 2012, Berkeley Resources Ltd announced that a positive Pre-Feasibility Study confirms the "potential" of the Salamanca Project. The study is based on a uranium price of US$ 65 per lb U3O8.
Positive Scoping Study announced for Salamanca 1 uranium mine project: On Nov. 29, 2012, Berkeley Resources Ltd announced that a positive Scoping Study confirms the technical and economic viability of the Salamanca Project.
CSN orders decommissioning of Quercus uranium mill
> View here
Berkeley reaches agreement with ENUSA on uranium exploitation at Salamanca I project:
On July 24, 2012, Berkeley Resources Limited announced that it has reached agreement with Enusa Industrias Avanzadas S.A. ('ENUSA') on terms which provide the company with a 100% interest in select uranium resources within State Reserves held by ENUSA.
Under the agreement, Berkeley holds a 100% interest in, and the exploitation rights to, State Reserves 28 and 29 ('Addendum Reserves') whilst waiving its rights to mine in State Reserves where ENUSA has undertaken rehabilitation.
The Addendum Reserves include the substantial unmined Alameda deposit, the Villar
deposit and additional prospects. Total resources for the Addendum Reserves are currently estimated at 30.6 million pounds of contained U3O8 [11,769 t U] at an average grade of 465 ppm [0.0394% U] (at a lower cut-off grade of 200 ppm U3O8).
Positive Preliminary Feasibility Study announced for Salamanca 1 uranium mine project: On Jan. 30, 2012, Berkeley Resources Ltd announced a positive Preliminary Feasibility Study for Stage 1 (mining of the Retortillo and Santidad deposits) of its Salamanca 1 uranium project. The ore will be processed by heap leaching, and the ripios (spent ore) will be backfilled into "lined and isolated areas" previously mined within the pit.
Licensing and permitting processes initiated for development of two deposits within the Salamanca 1 uranium project:
On Oct. 13, 2011, Berkeley Resources Ltd announced that on 11th October it initiated the licensing and permitting processes for development of the Retortillo and Santidad deposits within the Salamanca 1 uranium project. These deposits will be the first to be developed in a program focussed on, Berkeley's 100% owned resources.
Salamanca 1 will now be developed as a stand-alone project which will be completely independent of the Company's joint venture with ENUSA, also within the Salamanca Province.
An initial scoping study for the Salamanca 1 uranium project indicates robust
economics, at an initial production rate of around 1.5 million pounds of U3O8 [577 t U] per annum.
The process will utilise on-off pad, biological heap leaching, which is particularly
amenable to the ore type, and to the region and its climate. A preliminary feasibility study is scheduled for completion by year end.
Shares in Berkeley Resources plunged on uncertainty surrounding its proposed joint venture with Enusa for the company's Salamanca uranium project in Spain. Enusa has expressed concerns about the feasibility of the project following Berkeley's submission of a feasibility study. Berkeley maintains the study, prepared by it and its consultants and representing about half of the presently defined mineral resource, confirms the feasibility of the project. (The West Australian May 25, 2011)
The echo of the explosions in the nuclear reactors of Fukushima in Japan has arrived at Salamanca. The plans to restart uranium mining in the zone of Saelices El Chico from 2012 are delayed. This was confirmed by the Australian company Berkeley Resources. (El País May 2, 2011)
On Apr. 29, 2011, Berkeley Resources announced that it is now anticipated that the Feasibility Study for the entire Salamanca Uranium Project will be completed by mid 2012.
On Dec. 14, 2010, Berkeley Resources announced its intention to reopen the uranium operation in Salamanca. The company affirmed in an official notice that it will request the permissions to reopen the mine, for which it must create a company with a 10% interest held by the national uranium company (Enusa) and pay 20 million Euros. According to Berkeley Resources, its plan of operation "guarantees the economic yield of the uranium project in Salamanca". (El País Dec. 15, 2010)
Berkeley Resources Limited is in negotiations with Russian steel maker Severstal over a potential takeover offer by Severstal, Berkeley Resources said on Friday (Oct. 29).
(RIA Novosti Oct. 29, 2010)
> see also: Decommissioning of Quercus uranium mill deferred in expectation of restart
On Aug. 10, 2010, Berkeley Resources Limited announced that it has entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Electric Power Corporation ('KEPCO'), to finance and develop the Salamanca Uranium Project. KEPCO will invest, at the Project level only, US$ 70 million for a 35% interest in Berkeley's Salamanca Uranium Project, which comprises of Aguila, Alameda, Retortillo and Villar mining areas. KEPCO will also contribute funding of 35% for the development of the Salamanca Uranium Project assets to bring them into production as well as ongoing operating expenditure.
On Dec. 2, 2009, Berkeley Resources Limited announced that the Scoping Study undertaken on its Salamanca Uranium Project has strongly demonstrated the technical and economic viability of the Project. The project would include the re-commissioning of the Quercus uranium mill.
On Feb. 14, 2008, Berkeley Resources Ltd announced a positive Scoping Study for its Salamanca I project.
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