nambian chamber of mines wants uranium explora

http://www.mining-journal.com/Breaking_News.aspx?breaking_news_article_id=2309


Nambian chamber of mines wants uranium exploration to continue

Namibia`s chamber of mines wants the government to lift a moratorium on granting licences to explore for uranium in the southern African country.

"The minister`s recent announcement of a moratorium on the issuing of uranium exploration licences is counter- productive," Mark Dawe, president of the chamber of mines of Namibia, said.

The mines and energy ministry announced the moratorium in February with more than 20 countries exploring for the nuclear fuel in Namibia. It is devising policies and regulations to ensure that mineral rights go to those who "contribute positively to the development of the industry and Namibia," the country`s minister of mines and energy, Errki Nghimtina, said in parliament.

Namibia was the world`s fifth-biggest uranium producer in 2005, after Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan and Russia, according to Melbourne-based Uranium Information Centre`s website.

The country`s share of global production is likely to double to 15% by the end of the decade, Dawe said.

Output is currently focussed on Rio Tinto Group`s Rossing uranium mine.

Uranium prices jumped more than 10-fold in five years as demand from utilities surged and stockpiles fell, spurring exploration and mine development.

(April 24 Bloomberg)