Belarus nuclear plant to begin operation later this year

Belarus Energy Minister Viktar Karankevich told TV channel ONT on 11 April that the Belarus nuclear power plant under construction at Ostrovets will be launched during the summer and start producing electricity in the autumn. The Ostrovets nuclear plant, being build by Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom will have two generation 3+ VVER-1200 reactor units. …

Russias Rosatom Continues Building Nuclear Power Plants Abroad Despite Coronavirus

Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom continues building nuclear power plants in coronavirus-hit countries, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said on Thursday. “Despite the difficulties with epidemiological situation in certain countries, where Rosatom is building NPPs, projects implementation continues,” Likhachev told reporters. “Of course, maximally tough measures are being implemented in these countries for ensuring safety …

Could Cameco suspension kick-start the uranium sector?

Cameco Corp. [CCO-TSX; CCJ-NYSE] is temporarily suspending production at its Cigar Lake uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan. It said the move is a safety precaution that stems from the threat posed by the Coronavirus [COVID-19] pandemic. Cameco is one of the world’s leading uranium producers. Cigar Lake is the globe’s largest operating uranium mine and …

Construction advanced in order of Changjiang nuclear projects

Construction of the second phase of the Changjiang nuclear power plant and of a small reactor demonstration project resumed on Feb 22 and Feb 28 respectively, following on-site inspection and assessment by local government, according to reports from the China National Nuclear Corporation, or CNNC. Located in Changjiang county in South China’s Hainan province, the nuclear power plant is jointly being built …

Kazatomprom may draw down uranium inventory if coronavirus cuts output

Kazatomprom, the world’s largest uranium producer, said Monday it could rely on inventories to meet future physical deliveries in the event U3O8 production is reduced or suspended at operations in Kazakhstan due to the coronavirus outbreak. “In the event that mine production or the ability to physically deliver material is impacted, Kazatomprom’s production decisions and …

Orano sees 10 more years for Niger uranium project

France intends to ensure the continuity of uranium production in northern Niger, Nicolas Maes, head of Orano’s mining business unit, said following an 11 March audience with Nigerien Prime Minister Birgi Rafini. This will mean ensuring that Orano subsidiary Somaïr can continue operating for as long as possible, or at least until the Imouraren project …

Pentagon awards contracts to design mobile nuclear reactor

The Pentagon on Monday issued three contracts to start design work on mobile, small nuclear reactors, as part of a two-step plan towards achieving nuclear power for American forces at home and abroad. The department awarded contracts to BWX Technologies, Inc. of Virginia, for $13.5 million; Westinghouse Government Services of Washington, D.C. for $11.9 million; …