Nuclear fuels moratorium lifted

The Ministry of Mines and Energy recently lifted a moratorium on new application licenses in respect of nuclear fuel minerals. According to the mines ministry, nuclear fuels are defined as uranium, expressed as uranium oxide of more than 0.006%, and thorium, expressed as thorium oxide of more than 0.5%, of which the mass is more than half a kilogramme.In addition, the act defines nuclear fuels as any mineral specified in the nuclear minerals group as a controlled mineral spokesperson Ten Hasheela explained.The Ministry of Mines and Energy recently announced the withdrawal of reservation of any area in Namibia from any prospecting operations and mining operations in respect of nuclear fuel minerals in, on or under such area, in other words “the lifting and termination of the moratorium on new applications for explorations licenses in respect of nuclear fuel mineral.”During March 2016, the Minister of Mines and Energy made a submission to Cabinet requesting it to consider and approve the termination and removal of the moratorium on the application of new exploration licences for Nuclear Fuel Minerals.“The moratorium was necessitated by the overwhelming applications for exclusive prospecting licences for uranium from 2004 to 2006, due to a sudden rise in the commodity price, resulted from high demand in the world market. Many of those applications were highly speculative and could put in disrepute the mining sector, specifically the uranium industry,” Hasheela said.“After some consultations, the government then made a decision for a moratorium to be put in place, in the interest of national mineral development as well as to provide an opportunity for future exploration and exploitation of uranium resources,” she explained.Cabinet approved the request and after due process, notice no. 41, Gazette No. 3803 of 15 March 2007 has accordingly been withdrawn by Government Gazette No. 6197 of 15 December 2016, Notice number 299.There are currently five companies actively prospecting for uranium and include Australian miners Bannerman, Deep Yellow, Marenica and Forsys Metals as well as Chinese outfit Zhonge Resources.OGONE TLHAGE

Nuclear fuels moratorium lifted

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-30

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Nuclear fuels moratorium lifted

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-30

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