Canadian critical minerals companies not panicked by Trump tariff threat because of 10% carve-out

Canada’s critical minerals sector would suffer a significantly less punishing blow from U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs compared with the broader Canadian economy if he moves ahead. Mr. Trump earlier this week temporarily backed off from imposing 25-per-cent tariffs on most Canadian imports, but the risk remains high, with the possibility that he’ll follow …

South Korea Secures Nuclear Fuel Supply with U.S. Firm to Reduce Russian Dependency

KHNP Signs 10-Year Contract with Centrus Energy Amid Geopolitical Tensions In a strategic move to diversify its nuclear fuel sources, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has signed a 10-year supply contract with Centrus Energy, a U.S.-based nuclear fuel supplier. Announced on Feb. 4 in Washington, D.C., this agreement marks a significant shift in South …

Nuclear revival puts uranium back in the critical spotlight

Not according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which dropped it from its critical minerals list in 2022 on the grounds it didn’t qualify because it was a “fuel mineral”, opens new tab. U.S. President Donald Trump wants it to think again. One of Trump’s many “Unleashing American Energy”, opens new tab directives requires the Secretary of the …

U.S. nuclear generators import nearly all the uranium concentrate they use

In 2023, U.S. nuclear generators used 32 million pounds of imported uranium concentrate (U3O8) and only 0.05 million pounds of domestically produced U3O8. Imports accounted for 99% of the U3O8 they used in 2023 to make nuclear fuel. Foreign producers predominantly supply the U.S. front-end nuclear fuel cycle, but federal policies have been implemented recently to build out the …

Orano Initiates a Second Arbitration Procedure Vis à Vis the State of Niger Following the Loss of Operational Control Over SOMAÏR

Orano is lodging a second arbitration procedure vis à vis the State of Niger in order to assert its rights following the loss of operational control of SOMAÏR. The Group has filed its request for arbitration with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). This litigation is now Orano’s last possible recourse, after …

China discovers major uranium deposit in Ordos Basin

China has discovered a substantial uranium deposit in the Jingchuan area of the Ordos Basin in the northwestern region of the country, the China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Natural Resources announced on Friday in a press release sent to the Global Times. The discovery will significantly increase the country’s uranium resources and effectively …

Kazatomprom announces temporary suspension of production activity at JV Inkai LLP

National Atomic Company “Kazatomprom” JSC (“Kazatomprom” or “the Company”) announces a temporary suspension of production activity, effective 1 January 2025, at block No. 1 of the Inkai deposit. The deposit is located in the Sozak district of the Turkestan region and is operated by JV Inkai LLP. In accordance with the Subsoil and Subsoil Use …

Orano Initiates Arbitration Against the State of Niger Following the Withdrawal of IMOURAREN’s Mining License

Orano has opened international arbitration proceedings against the State of Niger following the withdrawal of its mining license for IMOURAREN, dated 19 June 2024. This move comes after several months of unsuccessful attempts at mediation and conciliation. The announcement of the withdrawal of the license took place when Orano presented the State of Niger with …