Mines: the closure of Cominak, a subsidiary of Orano, confirmed by Minister Barazé

Last February, Actuniger reported that the French multinational Orano, formerly Areva, was seriously considering the closure of the Akouta Mining Company (Cominak), one of its two subsidiaries in Niger. The scenario is becoming more and more precise with the release, on Saturday, May 11th in Parliament, the Minister of Mines, Hassane Barazé. Responding to a …

Uranium sector not out of the woods yet

URANIUM producers will need to keep their costs down in an overly saturated market, as the industry still faces tough times. While demand for uranium is expected to grow in the long run, the rate of growth remains uncertain due to its over-reliance on China’s nuclear building plans. This is what Rössing Uranium’s managing director, …

Control room at Karachi power plant now operational

The main control room of the Unit 2 of the Karachi nuclear power plant, China’s self-developed third-generation HPR1000 demonstration project in Pakistan, was declared operational on April 28, according to an announcement by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The landmark achievement was followed up by the commissioning of the digital control systems (DCS) of Karachi …

Selling Rössing to the Chinese may keep mine open beyond 2025

Rössing Uranium Ltd will start with a detailed pre-feasibility this year in anticipation of the mine’s end-of-life which is planned for 2025. However, a sales process, currently underway, may throw this mine a lifeline taking its productive life beyond the looming deadline. Launching the mine’s annual stakeholder report this week, Rössing Uranium’s new Managing Director, …

Uzbekistan, Russia agree on site for nuclear plant

A site has been chosen for construction of Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant, Russia’s Foreign Minister said on May 2 during a visit to the Central Asian nation. The plant may become the first of its kind in Central Asia. “[Uzbek President Shavkat] Mirziyoyev today expressed satisfaction with how this project was coming along and …