New Uranium Mining Projects - India 
(last updated 8 Nov 2022)
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India to renew uranium supply contract with Kazakhstan
India will renew its pact with Kazakhstan for supply of uranium from 2020 to 2024, the ambassador of the central Asian country said on Monday (Nov. 18).
Kazakhstan has so far supplied a total of 9,000 tonne of uranium, and another 1,000 tonne is yet to be delivered under two five-year contract periods that end this year.
India sources nearly 80 per cent of its uranium requirement from Kazakhstan.
(PTI Nov. 18, 2019)
Kazakhstan to increase uranium exports to India
Kazakhstan, world's largest producer of uranium, is planning to increase the quantum of its India-bound supplies to 7,500-10,000 tonnes for a five-year period starting 2019 from 5,000 tonnes at present.
(Economic Times Apr. 16, 2019)
India signs agreement with Uzbekistan on uranium import
> View here
India in talks with Uzbekistan to create uranium reserve
India is engaging with various countries, including Uzbekistan, to procure nuclear fuel as part of its plan to create a strategic uranium reserve to ensure long-term security.
The plan is to have a stockpile of nuclear fuel for its strategic uranium reserve that can sustain the country's reactors for the next five years so that they do not stop functioning because of the lack of uranium.
In the past, the Indian power reactors were under- performing due to shortage of uranium, owing to the sanctions imposed by the West post 1974 Pokhran nuclear tests.
Talks are currently being held with Uzbekistan, a senior government official said, and a delegation from the Central Asian country had visited India last month to discuss the issue in detail.
"We have been looking to import uranium from Uzbekistan in the past. Back then, they had refused to transport uranium to an Indian port. But now they have agreed to do so and negotiations are on," said a senior government official requesting anonymity.
(NDTV Sep. 24, 2017)
India to begin talks on uranium supply with Mongolia
> View here
India imported 600 tonnes of uranium from Russia, Canada in 2015-16
Under bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreements, India imported over 345 tonnes of uranium from Russia and 250 tonnes from Canada during 2015-16 to fuel Indian nuclear plants, parliament was told on Wednesday (July 20).
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha [lower house of India's parliament], Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said that India has earlier imported 297 metric tonnes (MT) of uranium in 2014-15 also from TVEL, the fuel company of Rosatom, Russia's state-run atomic energy corporation.
During 2014-15, 283.4 MT of uranium was imported from the state-run Kazatomprom of Kazakhstan, the minister added.
(ZeeNews July 20, 2016)
First Canadian uranium shipment to arrive in India in December 2015
> View here
Kazakhstan to supply India with 5,000 tonnes of uranium
> View here
India has imported 4458 metric tonnes of uranium since 2008
Around 4458 metric tonnes (MT) of uranium has been imported to fuel nuclear power reactors in the country since 2008, the government today said. Of the 4458 MT, India ordered 2058 MT of uranium from M/s Tvel Corporation of Russia, followed by 2100 MT from M/s NAC Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan from 2008 till date, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Department of Atomic Energy, said in a written response to a question in Rajya Sabha today. From M/s Areva France, India has ordered 300 MT from in 2008-09 and 2009-10.
(PTI Dec. 11, 2014)
India government cites "public interest" for not divulging annual uranium production figures
> View here
Uzbekistan to supply 2,000 tonnes of uranium to India
> View here
Uganda seeks India's assistance to develop its uranium deposits
> View here
India's nuclear power plants no longer experiencing fuel shortage
> View here
India close to importing uranium from Uzbekistan
India is very close to importing uranium from Uzbekistan and an agreement in this regard is nearing completion, official sources said today.
The issue came up for discussion during talks here between visiting External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and his Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov, the sources said.
The agreement will not be a civil nuclear deal but a contract like the one with Kazakhstan, under which India will import a little over 2,000 tonnes of uranium by 2014, they said.
(Economic Times Sep. 14, 2013)
India has to purchase nuclear reactors from Russia and other foreign countries in order to get uranium from these countries
In an informal chat with reporters, Shekar Basu, director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), when queried why India is using nuclear reactors from Russia and other foreign countries said: "There is shortage of uranium in India and the country in order to buy uranium has to purchase nuclear reactors from these countries as it gives business to their domestic firms."
(Times of India Jun 2, 2013)
India to explore possibility of getting uranium from Uzbekistan
Vice-President M. Hamid Ansari said India would explore the possibility of getting uranium supplies from Uzbekistan, which has rich reserves of the heavy metal.
(The Hindu May 22, 2013)
India considers setting up new company to acquire foreign uranium mines
India may soon set up a new company to acquire uranium mines in foreign countries to ensure fuel supplies to its burgeoning nuclear power programme. The Atomic Energy Commission has recommended setting up of a joint venture company between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to explore the possibility of acquiring uranium assets abroad, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy informed the Parliament.
(PTI Aug. 23, 2012)
India working out mechanisms with South Africa to access its uranium
> View here
India shows interest in stakes in Areva's African uranium mines
French energy major Areva, which is supplying nuclear fuel for Indian reactors, has offered partnership stakes to the state-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) in its uranium producing mines abroad.
"We have offered to NPCIL and the Atomic Energy Commission to invest with us in our new and existing uranium mining projects," chairman and managing director, Areva India, Arthur de Montalembert told HT in an exclusive chat.
"NPCIL has shown interest and talks are progressing for a stake in some uranium mines in Africa."
(Hindustan Times July 7, 2011)
India and Kazakhstan sign nuclear agreement, including joint uranium mining
> View here
India seeking interest in Russia's proposed Elkon uranium mine
> View here
India's Nuclear Power Corporation and Uranium Corporation to form joint venture to acquire uranium mines abroad
Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) would soon sign an agreement with Uranium Corporation of India (UCI), both state-run companies, for a joint venture to acquire mining assets abroad to procure uranium.
They're looking at mining assets in Nigeria [?!], Namibia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The JV would also focus on the procurement of uranium from these assets, as well as other sources.
NPC's chairman and managing director, S K Jain, told Business Standard; "UCI has domain knowledge in uranium mining, while NPC has the necessary funds for the proposed investments. NPC will have a majority stake of 74 per cent, while 26 per cent would be held by UCI in the proposed JV. The JV would have a working capital of Rs 15 billion [US$ 336 million] and it expects to invest Rs 50 billion [US$ 1.12 billion] over the next five years in the acquisition of mining assets in the four shortlisted countries."
(Business Standard Oct. 6, 2010)
Imminent Canada-India nuclear pact heightens tensions
> See here
India to mine uranium in Mongolia
> See here
India's need for uranium to grow 10-fold by 2020
India's need for uranium will increase 10-fold by 2020 as Asia's third-largest energy consumer boosts nuclear power generation, the country's monopoly atomic generator forecast today.
India will need about 8,000 tons of uranium annually, said Jagdeep Ghai, finance director at state-owned Nuclear Power Corp. of India. The nation has signed civil nuclear agreements with six countries, including Canada, Kazakhstan and Namibia, to secure stakes in overseas uranium mines, Ghai said.
(Bloomberg Dec. 21, 2009)
Treaty of Pelindaba prohibits African uranium exports to India
The African Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone Treaty 
- also known as the Treaty of Pelindaba after a nuclear research facility in South Africa - requires that African countries do nuclear trade only with countries that agree on the full scope of nuclear safeguards for all their nuclear sources and associated facilities.
The treaty stands in the way of India sourcing uranium from several African countries, including Namibia, Gabon, Niger, Uganda and Angola and clinching a nuclear research arrangement with South Africa.
(The Hindu Nov. 17, 2009)
[The treaty entered into force on July 15, 2009. South Africa, Gabon, Malawi, among others, have ratified it, while other (potential) uranium exporters, such as Namibia, Niger, have only signed but not ratified it yet.]
Cameco hopes to supply uranium to India
> See here
India signs uranium supply agreement with Mongolia
> See here
India, Namibia sign uranium supply deal
> See here
Areva offers India stakes in African uranium mines
Areva SA has offered India stakes in African uranium mines to ensure supplies for fuel-starved plants, the head of the nation's monopoly nuclear generator said.
State-run Nuclear Power Corp. of India is considering investing in as many as four mines, including projects in South Africa and Nigeria, Chairman Shreyans Kumar Jain said in a telephone interview in Mumbai.
"Some of the mines that we have been offered stakes in are already producing and some have yet to be developed," Jain said. "We may invest up to 26 percent of the project cost," he said, declining to give more details about the mines or how much the company would spend on the proposed acquisitions.
(Bloomberg June 5, 2009)
India to receive up to 2500 t of uranium from Kazakhstan
India could soon receive up to 2500 tonnes of uranium from Kazakhstan as an agreement in this regard is set to be signed between the two sides by the month-end.
(PTI May 11, 2009)
India to get first imported nuclear fuel consignment
India will receive this week the first consignment of natural uranium imported from French and Russian companies for its fuel-starved reactors after it got the NSG waiver for nuclear commerce in September 2008.
Around 60 tonnes of natural uranium from French company AREVA is expected to arrive at Nuclear Fuel Complex in Hyderabad in a day or two and around the same quantity from Russian company TVEL in a week's time, sources in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) said on Monday.
(Economic Times March 30, 2009)
India to enter joint venture for uranium mining in Kazakhstan
> View here
Areva signs agreement for uranium supply to India
French energy firm Areva has signed an agreement with government-run monopoly Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) to supply about 300 tonnes of uranium annually. This is the first major nuclear fuel supply agreement by the Indian firm after the approval of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal early this year.
(Economic Times Dec. 16, 2008)
Russia signs agreement on supply of uranium to India
On Dec. 5, 2008, India and Russia signed agreements that would eliminate the supply-demand mismatch in uranium and enable the setting up of more state-of-the-art nuclear power plants in India.
At a summit meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev put the final touches on a mega agreement to supply nearly 2,000 tonnes of uranium.
(The Hindu Dec. 6, 2008)
Russia and India planning joint uranium extraction
> View here
Kazakhstan prepared to supply uranium to India
> View here
South Africa ready to supply uranium to India
> View here
Nuclear Suppliers Group lifts ban on nuclear trade with India; decision deplored by international disarmament network
On Sep. 6, 2008, forty-five nations (organized in the Nuclear Suppliers Group ) approved a U.S. proposal to lift a global ban on nuclear trade with India in a breakthrough towards sealing a U.S.-Indian atomic energy deal.
One hurdle remained before the U.S.-India deal can take force -- ratification by the U.S. Congress. It must act before adjourning in late September for elections or the deal could be left to an uncertain fate under a new U.S. administration.
The U.S.-India deal raised international misgivings since India has shunned the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) meant to stop the spread and production of nuclear weapons and mandate gradual disarmament, and a companion test ban pact.
(Reuters Sep. 6, 2008)
The US-India Deal Working Group of the international disarmament network, ABOLITION 2000 , deplores the decision of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to approve a special exemption for India from its nuclear trade rules.
The exemption will allow India to participate in international nuclear
trade, but, contrary to the claims of its advocates, it will not bring
India further into conformity with the nonproliferation behavior
expected of the member states of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT).
Unlike 178 other countries, India has not signed the Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty (CTBT). It continues to produce fissile material and expand
its nuclear arsenal. As one of only three states never to have signed
the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it has not made a legally-binding
commitment to achieve nuclear disarmament, and it refuses to allow
comprehensive, full-scope International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
safeguards. (CNIC Sep. 7, 2008)
Nuclear Suppliers Group defers decision on resumption of nuclear trade with India
On Aug. 22, 2008, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) deferred a decision on a U.S. draft proposal on a statement on civil nuclear cooperation with India.
Participating governments of the NSG are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States and the EC as an observer.
First consignment of enriched uranium from Russia arrives at Koodankulam nuclear power plant (India)
> View here
India seeks uranium from Namibia
> View here
Gabon willing to supply uranium to non-NPT signatory India
> View here
Indian company granted uranium exploration and mining permit in Niger
> View here
Export of Australian uranium to India
> View here
US company ready to deliver uranium to India
> View here
NGOs urge Japanese Government to oppose India-US nuclear deal
On September 6, 2006, 48 Japanese NGOs submitted a petition to Prime Minister Koizumi calling on the Japanese government to oppose lifting Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) restrictions on nuclear trade with India.
The possible supply of nuclear fuel to India would, in fact, add to its nuclear weapons capabilities by freeing-up its existing and limited domestic capacity to produce highly enriched uranium and plutonium exclusively for weapons.
> View CNIC release Sep. 6, 2006
Nuclear Power Corp. of India to spend $1.2 billion on stake in Canadian and Australian uranium mines
India's nuclear power company plans to spend $1.2 billion on a stake in a uranium mine to support an expanded atomic power program.
Nuclear Power Corp. of India approached Australian and Canadian companies on a possible joint venture in uranium mining, Chairman S.K. Jain said, without naming them. India may compete with China for deposits of the metal, he said.
Nuclear Power Corp. is seeking a joint venture in which the state-owned company and the foreign partner will each invest $200 million and $800 million will come from loans, Jain said. "We are looking at investments of $1.2 billion per mine."
(Bloomberg May 29, 2006)
India to continue uranium mining, even if imports for civilian purposes would become possible
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) wants to mine uranium in the country, irrespective of whether it would import the radioactive ore from abroad or not, only for the 'sake of self-sufficiency'.
Chances of India importing uranium from abroad are more. This, after New Delhi and Washington signed an agreement for nuclear cooperation early this year. The deal once cleared by the US Congress would enable India's import of uranium from abroad.
Under the accord, India agreed to separate its civilian and non-civilian nuclear programme. The civilian facilities would be subjected to international scrutiny, under the deal.
However, the imported nuclear fuel 'would not be allowed to be used in non-civilian facilities'. This was informed by the head of the Public Awareness Division of DAE, Swapnesh Kumar Malhotra. He further added that this was reason enough for 'India to continue with its own programme to mine uranium in the country, apart from for the sake of self-sufficiency'.
(Assam Tribune May 29, 2006)
Change emerging in India's nuclear fuel procurement policy?
India should find a political solution to access latest reactor technology and uranium in international market even while steadfastly adhering to its stated position on Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), says the outgoing Chairman of the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), C. Ganguly.
He has stressed the need for finding a political solution through diplomacy if India has to expand its nuclear power programme in a big way. "Better buy uranium abroad if you can get it cheaper and not waste time by rediscovering the wheel."
Foreign companies should also be allowed to undertake mining and produce uranium in the country by amending the laws, if necessary, and, in return, India should buy from them at a lesser rate than the prevailing international market price.
(The Hindu Aug. 13, 2004)
India to step up uranium exploration in northeastern states
The Indian government has unveiled an ambitious plan to step up uranium exploration in the country's northeast, with new spots for such exploration being identified across as many as three states in the frontier region.
The Department of Atomic Energy has selected eight districts in the states of Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh for the exploration of uranium out of a total of 40 districts across other states in the country.
In response to an application for information under the Right to Information Act (RTI), the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research disclosed that the districts of Jorhat, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, Hojai in Assam; West Siang and West Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh; and Khowai and West Tripura in Tripura are under exploration for uranium.
(The Diplomat Nov. 8, 2022)
India to develop 13 new uranium mine projects, increasing production by factor of up to four
The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) will be taking up 13 uranium mining projects across the country with an outlay of Rs 105.7 billion [US$ 1.52 billion], aiming to increase its production by up to four times in the near future. UCIL Chairman and Managing Director, CK Asnani, announced this in Hyderabad while speaking on the sidelines of the 49th Nuclear Fuel Complex Day on Saturday (June 1). One of these 13 mining projects will be located at Chitrial in Nalgonda district of Telangana; it is estimated to cost around Rs 15-20 billion [US$ 215-287 million].
Asnani said that these projects have received in-principal clearances and that the preparation for their Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been initiated. This will be followed by seeking of final clearances from the Central government. He said that usually it takes around seven years for any mining project to move upwards from the DPR stage to its actualisation.
(New India Express June 2, 2019)
India aims tenfold jump in uranium production by 2031-32, while keeping back current production figures
India's Department of Atomic Energy has outlined a three-phased uranium production plan with which it hopes to achieve a tenfold increase in uranium production in the next fifteen years to fuel the country's upcoming nuclear reactors and to meet the targeted 22,480 MW energy output.
"The uranium mining projects have been planned in three phases. On completion of the projects in the first phase, it is expected to produce 3.5 times more than the existing uranium production by the 12th year. On completion of the projects in the second phase, uranium production is expected to achieve seven times the existing production. Upon completion of phase three projects, uranium production in the country is expected to record a tenfold increase by 2031-32," Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Atomic Energy said in Parliament on Thursday (Jan. 4).
According to an official estimate, India currently has 232,315 tons of uranium in the form of triuranium octoxide. However, many believe that the government has not been transparent on disclosing the actual reserves of Uranium extracted from local sources as it could provide a fair idea of the country's nuclear weapons reserve.
"It is not in the public interest to disclose the quantity of Uranium production from these mines," Jitendra Singh added.
India's state-owned Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL) is operating seven uranium mines in the state of Jharkhand and one uranium mine in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The government admits that the extraction and processing cost of uranium in India is very high as compared to other countries. Other uranium-rich areas are yet to be explored in the lack of supporting infrastructure and poor logistics. Lack of technology, adverse socio-economic conditions, environmental aspects, are other factors contributing to the slackened process of mining of some of the deposits in Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Telangana.
(Sputnik News Jan. 4, 2018)
India performs uranium exploration in Madhya Pradesh without consultation of tribal residents
Uranium exploration in Madhya Pradesh's Betul district has adversely affected the lives of around 4,000 people in 13 villages that fall under three panchayats-Khapa, Kachchar and Jhapri. Most of the people belong to the Korku and Gond tribes. The problem started when the surveyors, who are from the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMDER), stopped village residents from entering the surrounding forests to collect firewood and started to drill in their farms.
"Since the villages are in a Fifth Schedule area, they are governed by a special administrative system, and any exploratory activity without the permission of all the concerned gram sabhas is illegal," says Anil Garg, a Betul-based advocate and forest rights activist. But this has not been the case.
(Down To Earth July 31, 2017)
Indian government formulates action plan to upgrade exploration of uranium
The Government of India has prepared an action plan to upgrade the exploration and research capacity of Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD). AMD is a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), with a mandate to identify and evaluate mineral reserves including uranium required for the successful implementation of atomic energy programme of the country, for discovering new uranium deposits.
For enhancing the atomic mineral resources including uranium, the Government has formulated new projects involving Rs. 831.48 crores [US$ 125 million] during XII Plan period (2012-2017). The capacity increase includes enhancement of (i) drilling meterage by departmental rigs, (ii) heliborne and ground geophysical surveys, and; (iii) analytical support with the help of latest state-of-the-art instruments/equipments. This has helped AMD to augment the uranium reserve of the country by 60,164 tonnes U3O8 [51,019 t U] during the XII Plan (as on 29.02.2016).
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in informed in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha [lower house of India's parliament] today.
(Indian Awaaz Apr. 27, 2016)
India's nuclear power plants no longer experiencing fuel shortage
The capacity utilisation of Indian nuclear power plants was low in the past because of shortage of fuel but after efforts in augmenting indigenous fuel supply and international cooperation, it has increased to 80 per cent, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
(Economic Times Dec. 18, 2013)
India eyes thorium and uranium recovery from monazite tailings
India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) would permit private miners to process beach sand and supply monazite tailings to the government-owned Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) to increase latter's capacity to extract thorium and uranium.
At present, private miners were allowed to extract rare earths from beach sand but not process radioactive monazite, which under the Atomic Energy Act, was categorised as a 'prescribed substance' and the sole domain of the government.
According to an official in Mines Ministry, the DAE proposed to make amendments to the Atomic Energy Act so that beach sand miners could hand over the monazite tailings to IREL for further processing into thorium and possibly uranium, if economically feasible.
Data from the Atomic Mineral Directorate for Exploration and Research has shown that India's monazite reserve was estimated at 10.70-million tons.
(Mining Weekly July 18, 2012)
Uranium shortfall still idles India's nuclear power plants
The shortfall in the supply of domestic uranium has affected the operation of nuclear plants and none of them is working at full capacity, the government admitted in the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Parliament of India) on Wednesday (Dec. 9).
Of the 17 nuclear power reactors, 11 are not operating at optimum capacity because they use indigenous uranium which is not available in the required quantity, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan said in a written reply.
Three reactors use imported uranium and operate at maximum capacity, while three other reactors are currently under long term maintenance and are shut down.
Mr. Chavan said the government had taken steps to increase the supply of indigenous uranium and the use of imported fuel for reactors under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.
As a result, overall capacity utilisation of the nuclear plants is progressively improving.
The capacity utilisation, which was about 50 per cent in 2008-09, is higher at about 60 per cent for April-November 2009.
(The Hindu Dec. 10, 2009)
The country's largest nuclear reactors are running at half of their capacity due to uranium shortage resulting in cutting down electricity supply to western India.
The two 540 MWe units at Tarapur ran at 57 per cent of their capacity in January and on an average they were running at 55-70 per cent of their total capacity due to a shortfall in the availability domestic uranium, Union science and technology minister Prithviraj Chavan said in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday (Mar. 4).
Chavan admitted a shortage of 324 MWe in nuclear power generation for the whole country, making it clear that the government is running behind schedule to operationalise new mills and mines in Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. There are 18 operational nuclear plants across the country with a total installed capacity of 4340 MWe.
(Deccan Herald Mar. 4, 2010)
Rally in New Delhi against nuclear power and uranium mining
The National Alliance of Anti-Nuclear Movements (NAAM) today (Oct. 2) organised a rally in Delhi, widening the ambit of the Khasi Students Union’s anti-uranium mining crusade.
Nearly 200 NAAM activists carrying placards and banners were joined by some Khasi students led by KSU president Samuel Jyrwa. They blended anti-nuclear power plant protests with the uranium mining issue.
At Jantar Mantar, speakers from Meghalaya, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand highlighted the ill effects of uranium mining and the dangers of setting up of nuclear power plants.
(The Telegraph Oct. 2, 2009)
U.S. willing to share technical know-how on uranium mining with India
The United States is keen to share technical expertise with India on uranium mining, US Consul General Beth A Payne said here today.
"We can certainly explore options and opportunities available. Maybe we can partner with the government and share our experience and expertise on how to mine uranium safely," Payne, who is on three day visit to Meghalaya, said.
The uranium mining project in the state was yet to start due to opposition from organisations apprehending health and environmental hazards.
(SamayLive Sep. 3, 2009)
India to achieve uranium self-sufficiency by 2013
India is expected to achieve self-sufficiency in uranium production to feed its existing nuclear power projects and proposed plants by 2013, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said.
With the Jadugoda Uranium mill in Jharkhand expanded and the proposed expansion of Turamdih mill expected to be over next year, uranium production would go up.
Besides, exploration of uranium is underway at Tummalapalle in Andhra Pradesh and it is expected to go on stream by 2013, he told reporters here.
"We are also working to explore uranium at Gogi near Gulbarga in Karnataka," he said and expressed the hope that a proposed project at Meghalaya would also be cleared soon.
(Indian Express Aug. 2, 2009)
India to invest $150 million in domestic uranium exploration
Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said an amount of Rs 7 - 8 billion [US$ 142 - 162 million] would be invested in exploration of uranium deposits in the country during the 11th Five Year Plan period.
(Business Standard Nov 19, 2008)
India aims to double uranium reserves
India aims to more than double uranium reserves for its nuclear energy programme and will spend 2 billion rupees ($47.5 million) on aiding exploration and prospecting, a minister said.
Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said the federal cabinet had approved steps to boost uranium supplies by an additional 75,000 tonnes.
India has an estimated 61,000 tonnes of uranium reserves, according to the Department of Atomic Energy.
(Reuters Aug. 8, 2008)
ONGC to enter uranium mining in India
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the country's largest oil and gas producer, plans to enter uranium mining in alliance with public-sector Uranium Corporation of India, aiming to tap the business opportunity from nuclear fuel shortage in Asia's third largest economy.
ONGC is aligning with Uranium Corporation as the latter is the only entity allowed to undertake uranium mining in India, and has the power to allot mining leases to others like ONGC, said two analysts tracking the nuclear industry.
(Business Standard July 25, 2008)
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. for cooperation in uranium exploration and development.
(domain-b Dec. 12, 2008)
State run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is all set to take up the new challenge of uranium exploration in Tripura. AK Hazarika in Agartala, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of ONGC says a pilot project is being launched to explore fields for uranium mining in the riverbed of rivers Krishna and Godavari.
(ANI July 24, 2011)
The state-run company has started mining for uranium in the Cauvery area in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu in partnership with Uranium Corp. of India and plans to explore in Andhra Pradesh state, the ONGC chairman said.
(Bloomberg Aug. 4, 2011)
India's Department of Atomic Energy demands commercialisation of all exploratory uranium mines in the country to fill nuclear fuel supply gap
To minimise the mismatch of uranium fuel for the Indian nuclear power industry, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) today said that all uranium mines that were discovered and explored so far by the Atomic Minerals Division of the department should be commercialised.
"All the exploratory uranium mines of the department should be converted into commercial mines without any delay in order to boost the Indian nuclear power industry which is currently running at 50 per cent capacity inspite of Nuclear Power corporation of India limited, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the DAE that had achieved a 95 per capacity of their plants since late 1990s," department's spokesperson and Head, Public Awareness Division, S K Malhotra told PTI.
Both State and Central government should help in carrying out this commercialisation of the exploratory mines without any more delay, he said.
(PTI May 28, 2008)
India investing "heavily" in uranium exploration
To ensure that the country's nuclear programme is not dependent on the implementation of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, the government is investing heavily in uranium exploration, a top official of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) said on May 11, 2008.
"Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Meghalaya and other regions are among those we are looking at for uranium exploration," Anil Kakodkar, Secretary, DAE, said here.
Approximately Rs 7 billion (US$ 168 million) is being invested in using the latest technology to explore multiple states for uranium, he said.
(Times of India May 11, 2008)
In an effort to sustain the first phase of nuclear power programme, which is currently facing shortage of fuel, the Heavy Water Board (HWB) is setting up a Technology Demonstration Plant (TDP) in Mumbai to get Uranium from secondary sources like phosphoric acid.
The phosphoric acid, manufactured using rock Phosphate, contains about 60-150 ppm of Uranium and the TDP is under advanced stage of construction at the Rashtriya Chemical and Fertilisers (RCF) Ltd at Chembur in northeast Mumbai and will be completed by the end of this year, A L N Rao, Chairman and Chief Executive of HWB, told PTI.
The TDP will operate by taking freshly prepared Wet Phosphoric Acid (WPA) from phosphoric acid plant at RCF.
After the extraction of Uranium in TDP, the WPA will be returned to Phosphoric Acid Plant for production of phosphatic fertilisers, he said.
TDP has been integrated with Phosphoric Acid Plant for supply and return of WPA, supply of utilities like power, process water, fire water, and return of effluents, Rao said.
(The Hindu 21 Oct 2008)
The Heavy Water Board , a state-owned utility under the DAE, is setting up an industrial-scale Technology Demonstration Plant for the recovery of uranium from phosphoric acid, manufactured using rock phosphate, at Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertiliser's Trombay facility.
The Board's Technology Demonstration Plant (TDP) at Trombay aims to squeeze traces of uranium from phosphoric acid, basically taking advantage of the fact that rock phosphate contains 60-150 parts for every million parts of uranium.
The plant would be located adjacent to Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertiliser's wet phosphoric acid plant in Trombay and would produce uranium in the form of ammonium di-uranate. This material would be processed further by DAE's nuclear fuel complex at Hyderabad to prepare enriched uranium that can, subsequently, be used by nuclear power stations.
Indian Rare Earths Ltd , another public service utility under DAE, is also setting up demonstration plants to recover uranium from phosphoric acid, in addition to recovering uranium from various secondary sources such as thorium hydroxide concentrate and other metallurgical process residues, Government sources involved in the exercise said.
(The Hindu June 30, 2008)
Addressing the Heavy Water Board (HWB) officials and engineers, he said "now NPCIL is hungry for uranium and we expect nuclear grade uranium from HWB soon," said S K Jain, chairman and managing director of Nuclear power Corporation of India (NPCIL).
"Since HWB has accepted the challenge to produce nuclear grade uranium from phosphoric acid, the day may not be far when NPCIL will get uranium from HWB and India can go for electricity from PHWR beyond the current limit of 10,000 MW," Jain said.
(Economic Times Feb. 17, 2008)
No Foreign Direct Investment permitted in uranium mining in India
In a move that sets a precedent for mining firms, the government has ruled out the entry of foreign players in the business of uranium mining, saying it is a strategic sector where it could not take chances. Following objections from the department of atomic energy, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board has turned down a proposal from UK's GoldStone Resources to hunt for the mineral, initially in Karnataka. GoldStone had proposed to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in India to engage in exploration of diamond, gold and uranium palaeoplacers.
(The Times of India July 23, 2007)
Canadian firm ready for uranium exploration in India
Canadian exploration firm Magnum Uranium Corporation today said it plans to enter the country once the Indo-US nuclear cooperation deal is cleared.
"India's current consumption of Uranium is only 1,334 tonnes per year, which is expected to go up manifold once the US-India pact on civil nuclear cooperation comes into force. Hence, there is a big scope for us in India," MUC's President and CEO Craig Lindsay told PTI here.
(New Kerala Nov. 24, 2006)
UCIL investing in new uranium mines and uranium exploration
Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) will invest roughly Rs 31 billion [US$ 679 million] to open new mines and set up processing plants in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya.
UCIL chairman-cum-managing director Ramendra Gupta said that the UCIL is investing Rs 6.5 billion [US$ 142 million] in Jharkhand alone.
In addition, UCIL is exploring uranium deposits in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Karnataka. (PTI June 6, 2006)
An investment of Rs 18 billion [US$ 393 million] is proposed for setting up two uranium mining and milling plants in Nalgonda and Kadapa districts in Andhra Pradesh, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission Anil Kakodkar said on June 8, 2006. (The Hindu June 9, 2006)
Another new unit at Kaiga in Karnataka has now been delayed on account of fuel shortage:
According to minister of state for power Jairam Ramesh, unit four (220 MW) at Kaiga was scheduled to be commissioned in June 2008, but is now delayed by at least six months.
Ramesh said that the June target of adding around 1300 MW of fresh capacity has "completely gone haywire" on account of fuel shortages.
(Indian Express June 4, 2008)
Fuel shortage has forced the Nuclear Power Corporation (NPCIL) to delay commissioning of two new units at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS).
The two new units - RAPS 5 and 6 of 220 MWe each - were to be commissioned by February 2008 (RAPS 5 in August 2007 and RAPS 6 in February 2008).
NPCIL officials told The Indian Express that fuel shortage has already forced nuclear power units to cut production levels from an average 80 per cent PLF (plant load factor) a couple of years ago to an average 40-50 per cent PLF.
(Indian Express May 8, 2008)
Five of the 17 nuclear power plants in the country had been shut down and the remaining are operating at an average of less than 50 per cent capacity for want of fuel, a top official of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited said.
(PTI Oct. 21, 2007)
The fuel shortage situation has started telling on the performance of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). Currently operating nuclear power stations with a capacity of around 4,000 MWe, it has been forced to slash power production levels. The overall plant load factor (PLF) has come down from a high of 80-90 per cent to around 60 per cent in some three years - a drop of 30 per cent when there's power shortage in the country.
A delay in the commissioning of the milling system at the Jaduguda mines in Jharkhand is a major factor behind the current fuel shortage. Any further delays would lead to NPCIL cutting generation further "from 18 reactors" to around "50-55 per cent" in the next few months. If the fuel supply situation does not improve, generation from some units can stop in the next one or to two years.
(Indian Express Aug. 20, 2007)
A mismatch between supply of fuel by the Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL) and demand triggered by India's fast-expanding nuclear power programme could hamper the progress of the Pressurized Heavy Water (PHWR) programme, nuclear industry sources said.
Due to the shortage of fuel, the 12 PHWRs run by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) , a public sector undertaking of Department of Atomic Energy, are running at 65 per cent capacity (the new 540 MW plants Tarapur Atomic Power Project (TAPP) units 3 and 4 running at full capacity but after four months may face problems due to fuel) and this would definitely reduce the profitability of the company, NPCIL sources said.
The mismatch has been created due to NPCIL's demonstration to the world that it could have the power plant capacity up to 95 per cent and also its demonstration of reducing the gestation period of construction from 10 years to four and a half to five years, according to Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) sources.
(PTI Aug. 25, 2006)
In its mid-term appraisal of the 10th Plan , the Planning Commission had mentioned that the plant load factor achieved by the nuclear power stations had "gone down to 73.70 per cent in 2003-04, after reaching a high of 79.40 per cent in 2001-02.
This is primarily due to non-availability of nuclear fuel because the development of domestic mines has not kept pace with addition of generating capacity." (p.329/330)
However, the situation is likely to improve as Nuclear Power Corporation India Ltd. (NPCIL) anticipates import of uranium soon as the nuclear deal with the United States is approved.
In the ongoing 10th Plan (2002-2007), the 2,720 MW nuclear power capacity was to be augmented by 1,300 MW. But, capacity addition is likely to be 2,620 MW, twice the targeted increment. The 9th Plan had seen 880 MW capacity addition. The 11th Plan (2007-2012) would target an additional 3,000 MW in nuclear power generation, according to reports.
(Project Monitor, June 2, 2006)
New uranium deposits discovered in central India
The department of atomic energy (DAE) has discovered uranium at three locations in central India and assessments suggest there are adequate mining reserves.
Baldev Raj, a DAE director, said prospecting may be completed in the next 18 months, although he declined to divulge the locations for security reasons.
"The DAE's atomic mineral division is in talks with all related parties and we are trying to expedite the whole process. At DAE, we are sure that these locations hold enough reserves for viable mining," he said.
(Times of India, Dec. 6, 2005)
India investing in new uranium mines
Uranium Corporation Of India Limited (UCIL) will invest Rs 20 billion (US$ 460 million) to open new mines and set up processing plants in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya, UCIL Chairman-cum-Managing Director R K Gupta said on March 19, 2005.
In Jharkand, apart from opening new mines at Bandurang, Bagjata and Moldih in the district, the construction for the processing plant at Turamdih has already begun; about Rs 7 billion (US$ 160 million) will be invested for these new projects, which were likely to be completed during the 10th Five Year Plan in 2007-08. The processing plant at Turamdih were likely to be completed by 2006-07.
(PTI March 19, 2005)
India's BARC and France's CEA cooperate on development of uranium recovery from desalination plant brines
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA) , France, are collaborating to develop three innovative and efficient methods of uranium extraction from the concentrated brine rejected by integrated nuclear desalination systems, which both partners are currently developing.
The first method uses resin-grafted with calixarene (a synthetic material, indecently expensive!); magnetic separation is the second method and the third uses a canal system using absorbents.
These methods are highly selective but need further research and development.
(The Hindu 12 Nov 2009)
India tests new method to extract uranium from sea water
Japan developed a technology by using plastic sheets to which amidoxime, which is capable of selectively absorbing uranium from seawater, is grafted by high energy electron beam irradiation.
Scientists from the Desalination Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre recovered uranium at milligram levels from sea water using electron beam grafted amidoxime.
They developed a semi pilot scale facility to produce radiation grafted sheets of 1 metre x 1 metre size.
They collected about 800 microgrammes of uranium in five campaigns from CIRUS Jettyhead; about 1.8 milligrammes from the seawater intake and outfall canals at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station and around 200 microgrammes from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Though these amounts are trivial, it gives confidence in the technology.
Field trials carried out at the three locations gave concentration factors of 300, 600 and 700 for the submergence of the absorbent material for 12, 14 and 23 days respectively.
(The Hindu 12 Nov 2009)
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has reported "significant progress" in its attempts to bio-recover uranium from sea water and dilute nuclear waste using natural and genetically-engineered microbes.
BARC's attempts to viably extricate uranium from sea water have also begun yielding "very positive" results, according to officials.
Sea water is known to contain uranium but the low concentration of the nuclear fuel and high cost of its extraction has traditionally inhibited the option of commercial sourcing of uranium from the seas. The BARC method involves passing sea water through a specially made polymer that will absorb uranium selectively.
According to estimates, nearly 4.6 billion tonnes of uranium are estimated to be present in sea water, with Japanese scientists in the 1980s having demonstrated that extraction of uranium from sea water using ion-exchangers was feasible.
(The Hindu June 30, 2008)
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai has developed a method for extracting uranium from sea water, according to the BARC annual report.
The BARC method involves passing sea water through a specially made radiation induced polymer that will selectively absorb uranium.
Laboratory studies showed that the material could absorb as much as 45 per cent of uranium present in sea water.
The report said that on the basis of laboratory data, BARC is getting ready to build, in the first step, a bench scale plant that will produce 100 grams of uranium per year from sea water. Bigger plants will be decided after working out the cost benefit analysis.
(Times of India Feb. 25, 2003)
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UCIL proposes uranium recovery from copper tailings in Jharkhand
UCIL "proposes to construct two uranium recovery plants for recovery of uranium from copper tailings of M/s Hindustan Copper Ltd's operations at Rakha and Surda mines."
(48th Annual Report 2014-15, Uranium Corporation of India Limited)
Uranium Corporation of India gets lease for four mines in Jharkhand
The East Singhbhum district administration has finally okayed a long-delayed mining lease for the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) opening up over 1,500 acres of virgin territory for the Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) on the threshold of expanding its operations.
The lease has identified 433.42 acres of land in Banduhurang-Kerudungri, 253.44 acres in Kerudungri-Talsa, 303.14 acres in Bagjata-Phuljhori and 557.18 acres in Purihata-Kerudungri of East Singhbhum.
"The Centre had approved the expansion project way back in 2003. The file for lease agreement was pending with the mining department for quite sometime. The lease has finally been finalised and UCIL can now go ahead and start mining operations in these areas," said an official of the district mining department.
The official explained the delay by citing various "procedures" that needed to be followed before granting a mining lease.
Most of the areas opened up for UCIL are near the company's mining facility at Jadugoda that was operationalised in 1967, making it the oldest uranium mine in the country.
(The Telegraph Aug. 7, 2008)
Even as Delhi was agog with high-voltage drama and controversy over what is being described an effort to secure steady supply of nuclear resources for the nation, major progress was made here on July 22, 2008, in clearing the way for lease deeds for four new uranium mines of Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) and all other pending outstanding issues between it and the state.
Sources told that a high-level meeting, chaired by Jharkhand chief secretary AK Basu, decided that all hindrances in the way of speedy accomplishment of land acquisition for UCIL would be removed.
(Ranchi Express July 23, 2008)
(also spelled Mahuldih)
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Mohuldih uranium mine commissioned
On April 17, 2012, Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) commissioned its last mining project in the state - an underground mine at Mohuldih in Rajnagar block of Seraikela-Kharsawan district, about 25 km from Jamshedpur.
Speaking after the commissioning, chairman-cum-managing director of the public sector unit Diwakar Acharya said the uranium ore found during exploration at the site was not high grade, but the proximity to a milling unit at Turamdih 7 km away, made UCIL opt for the project.
"The reserve at the mine is around 6.2 MT but it is of a low grade (0.034 per cent uranium). The only thing working for this project was the proximity to Turamdih. The ores after mining would be taken for processing at the milling unit," said Acharya, adding that the project was UCIL's last in the state.
(The Telegraph Apr. 18, 2012)
UCIL investing in new uranium mines and uranium exploration
According to UCIL chairman-cum-managing director Ramendra Gupta, the Mahuldih project is likely to be completed by 2010. (PTI June 6, 2006)
Hearing held on Mahuldih uranium mine project
On Dec. 20, 2005, another hearing was held at Mahuldih on the proposed uranium mine. Access of outside environmentalists was prevented by non-official armed persons. Jharkhandi Organisation Against Radiation (JOAR) was not even permitted to file a written submission. The radiation issue was nevertheless raised by several local villagers.
It appeared that more villagers than at the previous hearing were ready to sell their land to UCIL, but they made several demands regarding financial compensation. UCIL has not decided yet on these and announced to hold another meeting within 15 days.
(Hindustan Times 21 Dec. 2005; JOAR)
Ranchi University teachers join campaign against Mahuldih uranium mine
Eight professors and lecturers from various colleges of Ranchi University have joined the Anti-Nuclear Power Plant and Mining Front, an organization of academics and social activists, vowing to undertake research work on the harmful impact of radiation on workers and people living in the vicinity of UCIL's Jadugoda and Rakha mines. They have categorically voiced their opposition to UCIL's proposed uranium mines at Mahuldih.
(Hindustan Times 19 Dec. 2005)
Jharkhand state Pollution Control Board sides with Mahuldih residents on uranium mine project
The Jharkhand state Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) has turned a sympathizer of the villagers and termed their demands 'just' and 'genuine'. JSPCB has also won several hearts in Mahuldih village by promising them to fight for their causes before holding the public hearing to get their 'invaluble' land for uranium mining.
Speaking to the media persons, the board chairman, Tileshwar Sahu, made it clear that JSPCB would not issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the UCIL until it settles the compensation issue with the residents of Mahuldih.
(Ranchi Express Aug. 31, 2005)
Residents keep Pollution Control Board from holding hearing on proposed Mohuldih uranium mine project
On August 29, 2005, the struggle against radioactivity of JOAR (Jharkhandi Organisation Against Radiation) reached a new dimension at the occasion of the public hearing scheduled for the proposed Mohuldih mines. The villagers of Mohuldih and more than 10 other affected villages unanimously declared that they do not want uranium mines at the expense of their land and livelihood.
They forced the Jharkhand Pollution Control Board (PCB) officials and
officials of UCIL to retreat when they had come for conducting the
public hearing at Mohuldih. "We will give our lives but not our land"
was their united slogan.
The public hearing which was initially scheduled to be held on the 5th
of August had already once been postponed to the 29th by the demand of
the people of the area. However, even today when the PCB and UCIL
officials arrived for the hearing, they were not even allowed to enter
the site of the public hearing by the villagers. Men and women from
more than 12 villages around Mohuldih, which would be affected by the
proposed Mohuldih mines, opposed the hearing, stating that
they neither need a hearing nor a uranium mine. They declared to the
officials that they would not let go of their land in any
circumstance. "The mine will last for 30 years; what will happen to us
after that? Our land has supported us for generations and will
continue to do so", they stated. "We have seen what has happened to
the villagers who have been displaced by the other uranium mines. They
have not got any facilities, which were promised to them, none of the
promises made of rehabilitation has been fulfilled. We cannot rely on
their false promises and lose our livelihood", they said.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project is riddled with faults, according to JOAR. It was prepared by Mecon Consultants on behalf of UCIL. "Nowhere in the entire report has any mention been made of the radioactive health hazards, not even to state that there will be no hazard, completely denying the health aspects of uranium radiation," says an
activist from the Human Rights Law Network.
(JOAR Aug. 29, 2005)
(also spelled Bagjata)
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On Dec. 1, 2008, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) chairman Anil Kakodkar inaugurated the Bagjata mine belonging to Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (Ucil). The Bagjata mine, which took three years and a capital investment of Rs 950 million [US$ 19 million] to be built, will have a 500-tonne per day output that will be transported to nearby Jadugoda for processing.
(Financial Express Dec. 1, 2008)
According to UCIL chairman-cum-managing director Ramendra Gupta, the Bagjata project is likely to be completed by 2008. (PTI June 6, 2006)
Public involvement obstructed for Baghjanta uranium mine project
A public hearing by the Jharkhand Pollution Control Board (PCB) on the proposed underground uranium mine at Baghjanta, East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand, originally scheduled for August 20, 2004 has been postponed to Sep. 18, 2004. Intervenors have not been able to obtain copies of the full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project, let alone any copies in native language, in spite of repeated requests to the PCB. Also, details on the planned resettlement scheme have not been made available.
A site visit at the Baghjanta village on Aug. 20, 2004, showed that UCIL had already started construction work on the mine without having obtained a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from PCB.
(JOAR Aug. 20, 2004)
UCIL had begun underground mining at Baghjanta in 1986, but had to close down production in 1991. At the public hearing held on Sep. 18, 2004, the villagers welcomed the resumption of uranium mining at Baghjanta for its economic effects, but placed certain demands to UCIL, most of which rotated around development of the region. "We would prefer to suffer from radiation than die of hunger", said Thakura Hansda, president of the local village committee.
Environmentalists who wanted to attend the hearing were not enabled to raise their concerns. They had found that the Executive Summary of the EIA, which was obtained after much argument, were environmentally blind. Supposedly a report for a uranium mine, it had only two small paragraphs on the radiation aspects, with no mention whatsoever about the effects which uranium radiation might have on health of the population, the environment or the agricultural ecology, and the means taken to address them is not a part of the report.
(The Hindustan Times, The Telegraph, JOAR Sep. 18, 2004)
(also spelled Banduhurang, Bandurang)
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Bandugurang open pit mine inaugurated
Bandugurang, UCIL's first open pit mine, was inaugurated on June 25, 2007. It would produce 2,400 tons uranium ore per day.
(Times of India, June 25, 2007)
UCIL seeks police help as displaced people disrupt mining
The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) has sought the help of East Singhbhum district administration after displaced people stalled mining at Bandhuhurang-Keuradungri opencast mines from May 1, 2007.
Villagers told mediapersons that alleged difference in land rates being offered to the displaced had provoked the villagers to come under the banner of Turamdih Displaced Committee (TDC) being led by Demka Soy and force the closure of Banhuhurang-Keuradunglri mines.
(Ranchi Express 5 May 2007)
Bandugurang project to be completed by 2007
According to UCIL chairman-cum-managing director Ramendra Gupta, the Banduhurang project is likely to be completed by 2007. (PTI June 6, 2006)
State Pollution Control Board has No Objection to Bandugurang uranium mine project
The Pollution Control Board (PCB) of Jharkhand State, India has given the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to undertake opencast uranium mining at Bandugurang, East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand State on 8th April 2004. The Jharkhandi Organisation Against Radiation (JOAR) considers this as a case of clear violation of the existing rules of the PCB and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) public hearing, since no full-length copy of the EIA had been made available.
UCIL plans to construct an additional uranium mill at Turamdi (5 km from Bundugurang), where an underground uranium mine is already operating.
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Uranium drilling to move out of village after complaints about drinking water pollution:
Uranium mining is being moved out of Gujanal village in Gokak taluk of Belagavi district after complaints from villagers that deep drilling was making borewell water smell foul.
Scientists from the central Atomic Minerals Directorate For Exploration And Research (AMDER) have confirmed to The Hindu that drilling would be moved out of inhabited areas in the village. Officers on site have clarified, however, that it is not a case of leakage of radioactive material and there was no need for alarm. "We are shifting, and this has been communicated to the district administration," an officer said. The directorate has been doing a pilot study of uranium mining in Gujanal and two other villages in Belagavi district. While mining in Deshnoor and Suladhal are far from inhabited areas, the drilling points in Gujanal are within settlements.
Gujanal residents have been complaining that the mining was polluting groundwater. "Water in around five wells in the village has a foul smell. We are unable to drink it or use it for washing or bathing," they said, in their complaint to the government. They suspect that coolant and other chemicals used in drilling have seeped into the water. Balesh Mugalihal, a resident, said some families who had consumed the water were suffering from acidity and headache.
(The Hindu June 9, 2017)
Uranium mining to start in Bhima belt soon:
Rich uranium deposits, a major element in nuclear power generation and its related activities, has been found in the Bhima river belt of Karnataka, ranging from Sedam in Gulbarga district to Muddebihal in Bijapur district.
According to Regional Director Ashwini Kumar Rai of the Atomic Mineral Directorate for Exploration and Research, Southern Region, Bangalore, uranium deposits found at Gogi in Shahapur taluk, about 80 km from here, are the second best in quality, only after deposits found in Jharkhand.
At present, Ashwini Rai said uranium mining was going on only in about eight acres of land and it has been decided to carry out mining in 238 acres of land in Gulbarga district, Gogi and its surroundings. A proposal has been sent to the Deputy Commissioner for acquiring 238 acres of land to carry out uranium mining. Deposits have been found in Uakkanal, Darshanapur, Hotapet in Shahapur taluk apart from Gogi, and in and around Tinthini in Surapur taluk.
Replying to a question, Rai said that right now the uranium extracted in Gogi will be utilised for nuclear power generation. However, he did not rule out the possibility of utilising it for other purposes.
(Deccan Herald Nov. 17, 2009)
Retired additional director of Central Nuclear Mineral Directorate Dr S A Pandit said, that uranium deposits are found at four places in the state namely Balkunjagudde in Andar near Karkala, Chikmagalur, Arabail in Uttara Kannada and Gogi in Gulbarga district.
Speaking at a symposium on Indo-American nuclear deal organized in the city by Energy Support Initiatives here on Thursday August 21, he said that uranium deposits were detected near Karkala as far back as in 1978 itself. Mining has commenced at Gogi recently [?] and the uranium found there is of the highest quality among the ores found anywhere in the country, he explained.
(Daijiworld, Aug. 22, 2008)
Gogi mine (Yadgir district, formerly Gulbarga district)
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Villagers oppose proposed uranium mine and mill at Gogi:
Activists of Bhoomi Tayi Horata Samiti and residents of Gogi village staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner's office in Yadgir on Thursday (Feb. 16) and urged the Union and State governments not to resume uranium mining in the village. They also opposed the proposed nuclear power plant in the village.
(The Hindu Feb. 17, 2017)
UCIL restarts process to obtain environment clearance for suspended Gogi uranium mining project:
The fallout of India's attempts to get into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) seems to have caused ripples in the arid hinterlands of Yadgir district.
Four years after the ambitious large-scale uranium mining project was suspended in the Bhima Basin in and around Gogi village, the mining project seems to be finally picking up steam.
With their eyes set on an estimated 500 tonnes of high-grade Uranium-238 - the critical fuel of nuclear power plants in the country - Uranium Corporation India Ltd. (UCIL) has restarted the process to obtain environment clearance.
Explaining the sudden thrust for the long-suspended project, Ajay Ghade, General Manager (Technical Services & Planning), Mines, UCIL, said: "There are doubts over NSG, so the Union government is focusing on uranium deposits in the country itself. A string of nuclear power stations will be going online in the next few years, and we need to ensure a constant supply of nuclear rods."
(The Hindu July 8, 2016)
State resumes land acquisition for Gogi uranium mine in spite of Union government order to scrap the project:
Upset with the decision of authorities of the revenue department to resume acquisition of land around Saidapur, Diggi and Gogi villages for extraction of Uranium, farmers of Yadgir district have decided to resume their agitation as well as approach the court for justice.
Farmers were relieved when the Union ministry of environment and forests issued an order scrapping the mining unit three months ago. District authorities, however, continued with the process of acquisition of land after halting it temporarily.
(Deccan Chronicle Sep. 8, 2013)
People's court orders new hearing for Gogi uranium mine and mill project:
A regional Lok Adalat (People's court) on environment chaired by High Court Judge Justice D V Shailendrakumar has directed Pollution Control Board and Department of Environment to hold public hearing once again on uranium mining at Gogi village of Shahapur taluka.
Chairing the Regional Lok Adalat on Saturday (Sep. 15), Shailendrakumar observed that norms were not followed when the public hearing was conducted on uranium mining earlier at Gogi village.
(IBN Sep. 16, 2012)
UCIL, state sign MoU for Gogi uranium mine and mill project:
The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd and Karnataka has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to set up a uranium ore mining and processing Plant in Karnataka.
UCIL proposed to invest Rs 5.5 billion [US$ 98 million] in the plant at Gogi, Saidapur, Diggi and Umardoddi villages at Shahapur taluk of Karnataka's Yadgir district, a UCIL release said here today.
The Karnataka government would help UCIL to obtain permissions, registrations, approvals and clearances from the concerned departments as per the existing policies and rules and regulations of the state government, it said.
The project was expected to begin in 2013 and provide employment to 361, it said.
(Outlook India June 18, 2012)
Environmental clearance issued for Gogi uranium mine project:
Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) has secured environmental clearance for the development of its Gogi uranium reserves in the southern Indian province of Karnataka, and would adopt mobile mining technology for the project.
“Gogi has a very small deposit but of very high-grade uranium and it would be most cost effective to use mobile mining for extraction of the resource,” UCIL chairperson Diwakar Acharya said.
The mobile or retractable mining technology to be adopted would incorporate a feeding, screening, crushing and processing plant on a single mobile platform.
(Mining Weekly Mar. 1, 2012)
Karnataka Minister wants state government to halt uranium exploration at Gogi:
Opposing uranium mining at a village in Karnatka on grounds of health hazard, state Minister for Small Scale Industries Raju Gowda today said he would press the BJP Government to cancel the permission given to Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) for the project.
The project for mining uranium in Gogi village in the newly created Yadgir district in the northern part of the state if allowed would pose "a grave health hazard" to the people, Gowda, who is also minister in-charge of the district, said.
Speaking to reporters after holding consultations with people of the Gogi village, elected representatives from the area, scientists and experts here, the Minister said he would soon meet Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda to cancel the permission given to UCIL for undertaking uranium mining.
The state Government in July last accorded in-principle approval to UCIL to undertake mining uranium and consented to allot 102 hectares in Gogi village for the purpose. When his attention was drawn to the consent given by some farmers to part with their land for uranium mining, Gowda said they were unaware of the health hazard the activity posed and its impact on environment.
He said the UCIL had already commenced its operations and dug up 273 metre-long tunnel and was discharging effluents into a nearby tank. He claimed that the exploration work had caused health problems to several people.
UCIL has been engaged in uranium exploratory work in the village since 2007.
(Deccan Herald Nov. 16, 2011)
State Task Force report points at health hazard from effluent releases at proposed Gogi uranium mine site:
The Western Ghats Task Force (a special initiative of Govt. of Karnataka) has alleged that the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) has created serious health hazards at Gogi village in Yadgir district, by letting out effluents from its uranium testing site into a lake, which is a source of drinking water to the villagers.
In a nine-page 'feedback' report, prepared by the Task Force on the proposed uranium mining and processing project at Gogi, Task Force Chairman Anant Hegde Ashisar said the villagers are worried about the contamination of the drinking water source.
Besides, several borewells drilled by the UCIL to ascertain the density of uranium deposits have caused harmful effects on the ecology. "The villagers are, therefore, facing severe health problems. The drinking water contamination problem should be addressed immediately," he has said.
The Government should look into the concerns raised by the people before giving final clearance to the project. The State High Level Clearance Committee headed by the Chief Minister has already accorded in-principle approval to the project.
The Task Force has also recommended to the Government to stop acquisition of land for the project, until people's apprehensions were addressed. The Government should also consider the views of the local body, on priority. The Gogi gram panchayat had requested the Government to stop the survey and mining work in the village, as several were suffering from skin diseases due to contamination of the drinking water, the report stated.
The Task Force recommended the Government to get “authentic” and “reliable” reports on health and environment safety issues before taking the final decision on giving permission to the proposed project.
(Deccan Herald Nov. 11, 2011)
State gives approval for uranium mining at Gogi:
Even as concerns of health and environmental hazards remain unsettled, the State government has given its much-awaited approval for the project proposal - uranium ore mining and processing plant - of the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) at Gogi and other villages in Shahapur taluk of Yadgir district, about 80 km from Gulbarga.
With this, the controversial project has crossed a major hurdle although it is required to obtain the all-important environmental clearances from the State and Central agencies.
The State accorded the 'in-principle approval' at the recent State High-Level Clearance Committee meeting to the Central undertaking for carrying out mining and processing operations at Gogi, Saidapur, Diggi, Umardoddi Khanapur and Shakapur villages of Shahapur taluk.
The UCIL has proposed to invest Rs 5.5 billion [US$ 111 million], generating employment to only 361 persons. The State has also decided to extend infrastructure facilities like land, water and power, besides incentives and concessions as envisaged in the industrial policy of the State.
The company is permitted to acquire 306.40 acres of land under Section 109 of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act in the said villages while obtaining permission from the Shahapur Town Planning Authority. The UCIL will require 1.08 million litres a day of water for its activities and the same will be made available from River Bhima.
The project proponent will have to file a separate application to the Water Resource Department for water allocation. It will require 8100 kVA of power, which will have to be serviced by the Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company.
The State government has put forth certain conditions, which are general in nature and applicable to all other project proposals. They include securing Consent For Establishment from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. The UCIL has been asked to prepare a plan for development of human resources required for the project, train local people and provide employment.
"The company should take all measures with regard to environment, well being of the persons living in and around the project. The local people should be educated and informed about the project, safety measures adopted and the steps taken by the company to avoid any environmental hazards," an order issued by the Commerce and Industries Secretariat said.
The UCIL has plans to extract 150 tonnes of uranium per year in the form of sodium diuranate (SDU) salt for about 15 years. The uranium ore reserves of Gogi are approximately 3,077 tonnes. Uranium mining lease is spread over 39.13 ha of Gogi while the site of processing is spread over 102.23 ha under Saidapur, Diggi, and Umardoddi.
It will produce 150,000 tonnes of uranium ore, which will be processed to extract 150 tonnes of SDU per year. The uranium extracted as crude salt will be trucked to the Nuclear Fuel Complex at Hyderabad for further processing. The minerable reserves of uranium ore are adequate for 15 years with a rated capacity of 500 tonnes a day.
(Deccan Herald Nov. 8, 2011)
Gogi residents demand relocation before start of uranium mine:
People of K Gogi village in Yadgir have demanded that they should be shifted out before starting the uranium processing plant there.
"We have no objection if the unit comes up in the village. Causing loss to the nation is also not our intention. Also, we are not strong enough to face big companies. We are worried about the consequences for our future generations. Please shift our village," the people told Ananth Hegde Ashisara, chairman of the Western Ghats Task Force and vice-chairman of the Bio-Diversity Board, who visited the village on Saturday (Sep. 10).
Allauddin Babu Pasha, who spoke on behalf of the people in Gogi, said uranium testing had begun in the village and many people here were already suffering from various ailments because of this.
Effluents from the uranium testing site are being let into the tank in the village, thereby contaminating the water. If this is the situation in the initial stages, Pasha feared a worse scenario when full-fledged uranium mining begins.
(Deccan Herald Sep. 10, 2011)
Local committee clears uranium mining in Gogi:
The hurdles placed by Gogi and surrounding villages of Shahapur taluk to uranium mining in the area were cleared after a local committee consisting of two prominent doctors of Yadgir district submitted a report on the safety aspects of uranium mining.
The committee opined that uranium mining and ore processing can be carried out with minimum or little hazard to the operating personnel and people with good technology, commitment to personnel and environmental safety and sound environmental management practices.
After visiting both proposed Gogi uranium mine site and Jaduguda, the committee recommended to the government to allow UCIL to carry out uranium mining on condition that it should follow 20 recommendations made by it.
(ExpressBuzz Sep. 10, 2011)
UCIL to invest US$ 124 million in Gogi uranium mine project:
Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) will invest at least Rs 25 billion [US$ 561 million] during the 12th plan in new mine projects in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
"The investment [...] will cost [...] Rs 5.5 billion [US$ 124 million] for a new mine [in] Karnataka," UCIL Director, Technical D Acharya said here today.
(PTI July 27, 2011)
Gogi uranium mine gets state approval, before report of expert committee is discussed:
Karnataka is closer to having India's next uranium mine as Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa approved mining at Gogi village in Yadgir district's Shahapur taluk on Thursday (July 14).
The approval comes after nearly four years of exploration in the area.
The uranium mine will have a life of 15 years during which it will supply fuel to nuclear power plants in southern India.
Though the approval by the state government's High Level Clearance Committee (HLCC) brings the project closer to implementation, it still needs to get clearance from Union Ministry of Environment and Forestry before Uranium Corporation of India Ltd can carry out commercial mining and set up processing mills.
“The total deposit of uranium oxide is 4,250 tonnes. It's a high grade deposit with 0.1 per cent uranium. This is as good as the deposit in Meghalaya. In comparison the ore in Jadugoda (Jharkhand) is inferior with only 0.05-0.06 per cent uranium,” a senior official in the department of atomic energy who does not wished to be named, told Deccan Herald.
The mine and mills, which would be spread over 40 hectares, had been opposed by local residents and elected representatives who feared it would cause health hazards.
(Deccan Herald July 15, 2011)
The approval has come as a huge surprise to the people, even as the committee of experts submitted its report last week over the ill-effects of uranium mining and precautions to be taken.
The committee was formed following an unanimous decision taken at a meeting jointly organised by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and the Uranium Corporation of India on November 16, 2010, at Gogi.
Following an appeal by the Yadgir Deputy Commissioner, a team led by Dr Madhukavi and cancer specialist Dr Shekhar Patil had visited the mining areas on February 2, 2011.
Mallanna Parivana, convenor of the Bhoomitayi Horata Samiti, said that the government's approval, even before studying the pros and cons mentioned in the report, would sound the death knell for the people.
People in Gogi said that 500 borewells drilled to look for and ascertain the density of the uranium deposits in the area had led to harmful effects on the people.
Contaminated water had also been released from the mining areas, allege the people.
(Deccan Herald July 15, 2011)
UCIL denies access to detailed project report on Gogi uranium mine project, releases summary (!) of EIA upon appeal:
The proposed uranium mining and processing plant at Gogi in Shahapur Taluk of Yadgir District is expected to extract 150 tonnes of uranium a year in the form of sodium diuranate (SDU) salt for about 15 years.
The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) is all set to exploit the techno-commercially viable deposits at Gogi, said to contain uranium ore of higher quality among all the existing mines in the country.
Although the UCIL has refused to part with a copy of the detailed project report (DPR) sought by Deccan Herald under the Right To Information Act, the former, however, has made available a copy of executive summary of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).
After the UCIL Public Information Officer denied access to DPR and EIA, an appeal was made before the appellate authority and subsequently UCIL Director (Technical) D Acharya who is the appellate authority has provided the summary of the EIA. According to him, the DPR was under the consideration of Government of India.
The preliminary exploration conducted by the Atomic Mineral Directorate (AMD), a constituent of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) for exploration and research has established mineralisation over a strike length of 2 km.
The ore reserves of Gogi are approximately 3,077 tonnes of uranium. The UCIL, however, is yet to obtain a few important statutory clearances for uranium mining such as environment clearance, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board clearance, grant of mining lease, etc. Once clearances are obtained, mining and processing will begin.
As many as four villages of Shahapur taluk will come in direct contact of the mining and processing activities. Uranium mining lease is spread over 39.13 hectares of land of Gogi village while the site of the proposed ore processing plant is spread over 102.23 hectares under three villages Saidapur, Diggi and Umardoddi.
The mine will produce 150,000 tonnes of uranium ore a year that will be processed to extract 150 tonnes of uranium as SDU a year. The uranium extracted as crude salt will be trucked to Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad, which is about 250 km from Gogi, for further processing. The minerable reserves of uranium ore are adequate for 15 years mine life with rated capacity of 500 tonnes a day.
Presently, exploratory mining is being carried out at Gogi Uranium Mine. Shaft sinking of five-metre diameter has already been started and a 135 m shaft has been sunk. The total length of 225 metres of the shaft will be sunk before mining begins.
(Deccan Herald May 3, 2011)
Karnataka State government commits to permit uranium mining at Gogi only if posing no health or environmental hazards:
The State government will allow Uranium Corporation of India (UCI) to mine uranium at Gogi village in Shahapur taluk in Gulbarga, only after confirming that the operation does not pose any health or environmental hazards.
Higher Education Minister V S Acharya told the Legislative Council on Tuesday (Mar. 8) that UCI had sought permission to conduct uranium mining on 39.13 hectares in Gogi village, which has about 2,681 metric tonnes of uranium deposits.
The application seeking mining lease is under the government's consideration, he said.
Acharya was replying - on behalf of the chief minister who holds the mining portfolio - to a question raised by Manohar Maski who alleged that UCI had started mining in the area and the local people were complaining of health problems.
The minister said UCI had also filed an application before the Union Ministry of Mines seeking permission to set up an uranium processing unit at Gogi. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board held a public hearing in this regard on November 16 last year.
Denying allegations that UCI had already started mining operations at Gogi, Acharya said the company was only conducting a few tests and experiments. The State government had not sanctioned the lease to the firm, he said.
Besides, he said, the government had issued directions to the Health Department officials to send a detailed report on complaints that local residents were facing health problems because of uranium mining.
(Deccan Herald Mar. 8, 2011)
Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL) is all set to begin mining uranium ore in 40 hectares of land in Gogi village of Shahapur taluk in Yadgir district. The public hearing on the proposed project was held in Gogi village on November 18, and UCIL is now awaiting final clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Official sources told The Hindu here on Thursday (Nov. 25) that the ministry had already given environmental clearance for the exploratory mine in May 2007, and a formal application for mining in 39.133 hectares was submitted on February 24.
Initial processing of the uranium ore will be done at the processing plant to be set up at Saidapur, Diggi and Umaradoddi villages, 6 km from the mining area.
Sources said there was no threat of radiation from mining uranium ore in Gogi. The initial study conducted by UCIL said there would not be any significant radiological impact on the local population.
(The Hindu Nov. 26, 2010)
The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) is all set to start the long-awaited uranium mining at Gogi in Shahapur taluk of Yadgir district.
After having successfully carried out a series of field trials the UCIL has now come to the final stage and the uranium processing unit will be established at the nearby Diggi village.
Based on positive results of exploration activities performed near Gogi, UCIL has prepared a feasibility report and has sent a proposal to the Centre seeking clearnace for putting up a 500-TPD (tonnes per day) mine and a uranium processing unit, UCIL Executive Director N M Bahl has stated in a communication to Ramannagouda Kollur, a resident of Gogi.
The actual mining and processing of uranium is likely to start in about two years after completing all the formalities. Uranium deposits sufficient for mining for a period of 15 years are available in Gogi. In future, UCIL plans to utilise the uranium deposits in the Bhima belt from Sedam in Gulbarga to Muddebihal in Bijapur.
The Gogi unit, estimated to cost Rs 5.5 billion [US$ 122 million], is expected to make the country self-sufficient in uranium. The clearances from the State and the Central governments are expected to be obtained in October this year. Gogi uranium unit is the third in the country, after Jaduguda in Jharkhand and Pulivendula in Andhra Pradesh.
Rich uranium deposits have been found in the Gogi belt covering the villages of Gogi, Ukkinal, Darshanapur in Shahapur taluk, and Thinthini and other places in Surapur taluk. Uranium processed here will be used for defence and power generation purpose.
The UCIL has sent a proposal for acquiring 200 acres of land of Saidapur and Umaradoddi villages and 4 (1) notification has already been issued. The site surrounded by hillocks on three sides is stated to be ideal for processing. In Gogi village trial mining has been done in an area of 4.27 acres.
(Deccan Herald May 14, 2010)
Shahapur taluk (county) tax collector Janardhan Upadhya confirmed that they had received a letter from Atomic Research Centre (ARC), Hyderabad, asking for requisition of 100 acres of land. He said the revenue department would submit a proposal to the Karnataka government so that they could acquire the land, using the "Urgency Clause", under section 17 of the Land Acquisition Act since the Union government needed the land.
But the Gogi gram panchayat (local government) is up in arms over the proposal to mine uranium in the village. It has decided to request the government to instruct ARC to close its survey/mining work in the village.
The local government in its resolution has said that many people were suffering from skin diseases as effluents from drilling were mixing with the drinking water; they said that drilling was polluting water in the bore-wells as well.
(ExpressBuzz June 30, 2009)
Exploration by the Hyderabad-based Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMDER) has found large traces of uranium in Gogi village in the Bhima River basin in Shahapur taluk (county).
"Experts say we have one of the richest grade of uranium in the world below us," sources in the district administration said. AMDER officials have written to the state government that the Gogi project has yielded large deposits of high-quality uranium. They have also said uranium mining at this site would turn out to be economically viable.
According to a report submitted to the DC's office, a borehole dug to the depth of 80 metres revealed more than 0.1% uranium oxide, the highest value of uranium deposit found outside Canada [!?].
Following this, AMDER has called for tenders from experienced miners to develop an underground mine. The work, estimated to cost Rs 13.5 crore [US$ 2.8 million], is expected to be completed in 36 months.
(Times of India June 30, 2009)
Evaluation of economic viability of the uranium deposit at Gogi in Gulbarga
district of Karnataka is in progress. (UCIL Annual Report 2005-2006)
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Environmental approval of uranium exploration affects tribals in Betul, Madhya Pradesh
Citing international geo-political scenario and energy security, an environment ministry panel has recommended for drilling boreholes for exploration of uranium in Betul, Madhya Pradesh that is expected to affect lives of tribals living here for decades.
The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has recommended Stage-I approval under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for prospecting of uranium and minerals for drilling of 300 boreholes with 4 inch diameter in an area of 1650 hectare in Betul in favour of Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) Department of Atomic Energy Government of India, Nagpur.
Observing that uranium being a strategic mineral and AMD is sole authority for its exploration and upkeep, the FAC after through deliberation and discussion with nodal officer of the State recommended the project for approval.
"Considering the current international geo-political scenario and energy security recommended to accord in-principle (Stage-I) approval," according to minutes of FAC meeting held on July 31.
The blocks where the department plan to carry drilling has been habituated by Korku and Gond tribes and they have been agitating over not being allowed to enter forest area for collector of minor forest produce, which has been source of living for them for years.
(New Indian Express Aug. 19, 2019)
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Rohil - Ghateswar
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Village water claimed to be contaminated by uranium exploration
Jahaj village panchayat area of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan has been devastated with contamination of water resources and sinking water tables. The locals have been alleging the situation on uranium exploration exercise held in the region by central government agencies. Amid the deteriorating situation, the public health engineering department minister of the state on Monday (Mar. 20) announced to get the issue investigated.
(The Statesman Mar. 20, 2017)
Uranium exploration approved at Khandela and Raghunathgarh in Sikar district, Rajasthan
The Union forest and environment ministry has given the green signal to Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMDER) to explore uranium in Sikar district.
Since it is a forest area, it needed the environmental clearance from the Centre. After approval, the state forest department has allowed AMDER to conduct the exploration.
State principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) Abhijeet Ghosh said that the exploration work, spread over an area of 1,000 hectares of forest land in Khandela and 150 hectares in Raghunathgarh, is expected to be completed in two years.
(The Times of India Jan. 11, 2009)
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India plans mining of uranium at Rohil in Rajasthan:
The state government has issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) of mining lease to Uranium Corporation of India for the mining of uranium ore at Rohil in Khandela tehsil near Sikar.
(Free Press Journal June 26, 2022)
Evaluation of economic viability of the uranium deposit at Rohil - Ghateswar in Sikar district of Rajasthan is in progress. (UCIL Annual Report 2005-2006)
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Chhattisgarh chief minister categorically opposes uranium mining in his state:
Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday (Aug. 18) categorically opposed uranium mining in his state in a move that may have resonance in India's Northeast.
Meghalaya has witnessed sustained pressure from the Centre to facilitate mining and processing of its considerable uranium deposits for the country's ambitious nuclear power and weapons programme.
Some other states also reportedly have uranium deposits like Chattisgarh.
But substantial resistance by local groups worried over the adverse fallout of radioactivity in environment as a result of uranium mining blocked the move in Meghalaya for nearly three decades.
Baghel echoed similar concerns as the anti-uranium groups in Meghalaya as he delivered a special lecture at an event organised to attract investment to Chhattisgarh organised by the Delhi-based Society for Policy Studies and the Raipur-based Group of Thinkers.
Responding to a question by Northeast Now, Baghel said he was not interested in any more projects that would involve massive mining including that of uranium.
"Pura rajyr ko khod diya hai, aur kitna khodenge" (they have dug up the whole state, how much more of that), said Baghel in presence of many foreign diplomats exploring investment potential in the mineral rich state.
Elaborating on why he was opposed to large scale mining specially of uranium, Baghel said, "I am very keen to preserve the pristine environment of my state and I am worried that will be badly affected by large scale mining specially of uranium."
(Northeast Now Aug. 18, 2019)
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After two decades of struggle, village finally gets substitute for drinking water contaminated with arsenic by former Bodal uranium exploration mine
Kaudikasa village's two decades of struggle with arsenic contamination in drinking water ends with a new government scheme.
Kaudikasa is a small village with a population of just 350 people in the Ambagad Chowki block of the Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh. Despite its small size, Kaudikasa village has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Severe health problems have been reported from the village, thanks to acute arsenic contamination in its groundwater. In fact, of the 22 villages affected by arsenic contamination in Ambagad Chowki block, Kaudikasa village is said to be the worst affected. "In the last two decades alone, 15 people have died in Kaudikasa due to arsenic contamination," says D.G.Goswamy, a registered medical practitioner in the village.
The villagers have been exposed to arsenic contamination for more than two decades now. As per the villagers, it began in 1976 with the uranium exploration done by the Bodal underground mines 3 km away from Kaudikasa. Even though the central government put an end to the operations in May 1989, much damage was already done through the decade-long operations it conducted including digging more than 600 metres below the ground level.
As per the WHO guideline, the maximum permissible level of arsenic in water is about 10 µg per litre. In Kaudikasa, the arsenic concentration in the tube well water had reached 520 µg per litre (measuring unit), whereas in the dug wells (general depth less than 50 m) the arsenic concentration was as high as 880 µg per litre. A medical study done in 2000 in the village indicated that 42 percent of adults and 9 percent of children were suffering from arsenical keratosis, a condition in which changes in skin pigmentation occur from long-term exposure to arsenic. Moreover, epidemiological studies indicated high concentrations of arsenic in urine, hair and nail in 89, 75 and 91 percent of the village population respectively.
"To mitigate the arsenic problem, the authorities installed five arsenic removal plant units in the village in 2005. But, the plants turned out to be ineffective. In 2006, the villagers began fetching drinking water from Metepar, a village 2 km away," says Yuvraj Singh, a former sarpanch [head of village] of Kaudikasa. It is after repeated requests to the authorities that their pleas were heard. A notice from the National Human Rights Commission to the Centre and the Chhattisgarh government in February 2017 over reports that the number of people affected by kidney diseases is increasing due to the high level of arsenic in drinking water gave the villagers' fight the much-needed impetus.
Eighteen years of their struggle saw result in 2017 when the government started supplying water from Shivnath river to the village under the drinking water scheme, Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY).
(India Water Portal Mar. 12, 2018)
Evaluation and resource estimation of the Bodal uranium deposit, Rajnandagaon district, Chhattisgarh was completed in 1985. (UCIL Milestones)
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Atomic Minerals Directorate starts uranium prospection in Arunachal Pradesh
The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a unit of the Department of Atomic Energy, has begun prospecting for uranium in Arunachal Pradesh, close to the Chinese border.
DK Sinha, Director, AMD, said, "The Arunachal project is located within a few kilometers of the Chinese border and is likely to play a critical role in uranium production as its mining timeline can be significantly cut short."
(The Hindu Mar. 15, 2021)
This announcement immediately provoked protest from China, as 'the Chinese government has never recognized "Arunachal Pradesh," which is referred to as the southern part of Tibet or Zangnan in China.' (Global Times Mar. 17, 2021)
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ONGC zeroes in on Assam site for uranium exploration
In a boost to the flagging domestic uranium mining effort, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has zeroed in on a location in Assam and has submitted a proposal to Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) for jointly exploring the resource.
The public sector oil major has an agreement in place with UCIL to pursue exploration and exploitation of uranium resources.
(The Hindu Sep. 29, 2009)
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The state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has started mining for uranium in the Cauvery area in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu in partnership with Uranium Corp. of India, the chairman said.
(Bloomberg Aug. 4, 2011)
The Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) for Exploration and Research (Southern Region) of the Department of Atomic Energy, has extended its exploration activity in Rasimalai hilltop in Vellore Forest Division till September 2014, to collect bulk samples for discovering deposits of rare minerals.
(Indian Express Jan. 8, 2014)
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