Uranium extraction to start soon-Muhongo

[BabuK]

Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof. Sospeter Muhongo


Despite a public outcry over potential harm that uranium might bring to the environment and people in the designated mining areas, the government has stated that extraction of the mineral resource will start soon.

The minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof. Sospeter Muhongo declared yesterday in Dar es Salaam that the extraction of uranium is soon expected to start at Mkuju River area in Namtumbo district, Ruvuma region.

According to the minister, it has been ascertained that the extraction of the minerals would bring no harm to either people or the surrounding environment.
The minister was speaking at a meeting attended by the representatives of the European Union (EU) in which cooperation with the government on mining in the area featured prominently.

“We will dig uranium mining even if there is a distortion from the effects of the mines,” he specified.

The government through local and foreign experts has taken measures to ensure that there is no harm arising from mining activities, he stated.

However, the Executive Director of Mantra (T) Ltd, Asa Mwaipopo said that the company has already received an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate from the National Environmental Management Council for its Mkuju uranium project.

The company intends to use the dry season for mining activities so that heavy lorries and other equipment can use earth roads characterising the area, he said.

Mkuju river project has an update on resources of 119.4 million pounds (54,159) tons of uranium, he said, noting that it would take about two years to complete construction work for the project.

The development of the Mkuju river project will, apart from attracting foreign direct investment FDI worth over $1 billion in Tanzania during the life span of the mine, it will also generate direct and indirect cash flows to Tanzania of about $640 million.

Meanwhile the Ambassador Head of delegation for European Union, Filberto Cerian Sebregondi has said that they recognize that energy is one of the most important things in the country and they want to support Tanzania in finding the resources to finance energy.

He said that the EU was working with the government of Tanzania to ensure the extraction of uranium is properly conducted, noting that it can contribute to diminishing the energy supply problem in the country. Efforts will be needed to make the uranium-based energy economical for local users, he said.

Mkuju River is an enclosed area for recovering uranium located in southern Tanzania, about 470 km southwest of Dar es Salaam. The Mkuju River project is owned by Mantra (T) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mantra Resources Pty Ltd. (formerly Mantra Resources Ltd.), an Australian firm in which the Russian firm, Uranium One has a minority interest. About 51 per cent of shares of this company are owned by JSC Atomredmetzoloto (ARMZ), a Russian nuclear energy giant.



SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

 

[Chikaka Sumuni]

There are few observations that we would need to get from the Minister:-
1. How is the govt dealing with the population living close to the mining site.
2. Is the Uranium mining Policy and Act ready to enable smooth mining operations, and
the protection of workers in the mining firm?
3. Reasearches indicate that Uranium mining is a water intensive project, how much water
is estimated to be used in this project,
4. How much is the government share in this investment,
5. Is it true that even our elites are also already compromised,
6. Did the government learn anything from Namibia, Niger and Malawi
7. How prepared is our government in the caring of victims that are likely be affected by
effects of radiation,
8. Did the government make any efforts to educate the local communities on the radiation
effects,
9. Which villages are already or were compensated to pave way for the mining activities.
10. It is upon all Tanzanians to wait for the upcoming disasters caused by few griddy
politicians. God willing 12 years of operation will find these ignorant politicians in radiology knowledge alive for them to realize their mistakes that will be costing lives of innocent poor Tanzanians near Mkuju, As Nyerere put it, Those who have receive the privilege of education and have failed tomuse their education for the benefits of Tanzanians are Betrayers/Traitors.

THINK about this

 

[Chimbuvu]

Waziri-'tanzania ina utajiri wa madini',wakati huohuo anasema waziri-' watanzania ni masikini'! Swali Tanzania ni shamba la bibi! By Reginald Mengi

dhahabu,almasi imenufaishaje maeneo husika?kwa nini msiwaendeleze wananchi wenu wakasomee ili waje kuyachimba hata kama itachukua miaka ishirini?
Huo ni uchoyo wa viongozi na ubinafsi kwa kutaka wapate chochote bila kuangalia wakati ujao wajukuu zetu tutawajibu nini? Kwamba tanzania ilikuwa na madini mengi?wakituuliza yametusaidia nini tunawanyooshea kidole walionufaika wachache.

 

[Chikaka Sumuni]

Jamaa wanayo haraka ya kuchimba utadhani Tanzania inaisha katika awamu ya nne yaani wameingia mikataba ambayo serikali ingine ikija wao watakuwa watazamaji tu, wao wameshachukua chao mapema.

 

[Informer]

3yrs later, can Mu-hongo say this again? Au ndo tushaliwa hivyo?

Magufuli, can you do something please?