Bright spots in tough industry: Saskatchewan’s potash, uranium and gold have good news stories to share

It has not been an easy few years for Saskatchewan’s multi-billion dollar mining sector. Persistently weak commodity prices have forced the province’s largest mining companies to cut costs and scale back production. The uranium sector has been especially hard-hit, leading to the shuttering of two mines and a mill in northern Saskatchewan. Investment in exploration …

Why advanced nuclear reactors may be here sooner than many imagine

Advanced nuclear reactors are moving toward commercialization faster and with less government support than many realize. Their smaller size and advances in computing are helping. Over the last several years, there has been growing recognition that nuclear energy is an important climate mitigation technology. Several states around the country have shifted from renewable energy mandates …

Hungary makes environmental case for Paks expansion

Hungary and Russia have reportedly agreed to change the loan agreement for the expansion of Hungary’s sole nuclear power plant Paks. According to bne Intellinews, Hungary will start repaying the loan once the two new units at Paks are connected to the grid and begin operations. Meanwhile, Russia and Hungary have held their first “international environmental expedition” to …

Sask. premier plans to talk uranium, NAFTA replacement agreement during U.S. trade visit

Saskatchewan’s premier is south of the border this week to get some face time with officials in the United States. Scott Moe began meetings Tuesday with senators, House representatives and members of President Donald Trump’s administration. Moe’s trip follows last week’s announcement that tariffs on steel and aluminum would be lifted by the American government. “We …

Russia and Vietnam signed an MoU on the implementation of Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology

ROSATOM and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam signed a Memorandum on the implementation of Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST) in Vietnam. The document was signed by the Director General of ROSATOM Alexey Likhachev and the Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam Chu Ngoc Anh in …

Korean Nuclear Reactor APR1400 Wins Favorable Reviews from WANO Members

Jung Jae-hoon, president of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, delivers a speech at the WANO 30th anniversary ceremony at Hilton Hotel in Tokyo on May 15. Korea’s next-generation nuclear reactor APR1400 has received favorable reviews from members of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) for its compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Nuclear …

Rosatom moves to address Africa’s energy crisis

Reliable and affordable energy solutions require a mix of sources from renewables to nuclear, which may include inland and offshore small modular reactor solutions. Speaking during a PowerGen track at the African Utility Week conference, Dmitry Shornikov, CEO of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa highlighted the reliability and versatility of small modular nuclear power plants …

US needs new approach to advanced reactor demonstration, report says

The US Department of Energy (DOE) should learn from the legacy of the NASA commercial orbital transportation services (COTS) programme to return the USA to a leadership role in nuclear energy, the Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) says in a report issued today. The report, Enabling Nuclear Innovation: In Search of a SpaceX for Nuclear Energy, reviews …

Kakrapar nuclear power reactor to be synchronised with grid next week

The first 220 MW nuclear power plant at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS-1) will be synchronised with the grid next week and power generation will be increased after that, a senior official of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) said. The KAPS-1 unit/reactor attained criticality, or initiation of controlled self sustaining nuclear fission chain …