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Denison to open uranium mine in Siavonga

Denison to open uranium mine in Siavonga
Written by Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Wednesday, September 02, 2009 8:49:02 PM

DENISON Mines Zambia Limited has announced plans to open a uranium mine in Siavonga with an initial investment estimated at US $118 million.

According to the review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) report and associated resettlement action plan submitted by Denison Mines Zambia Limited for the proposed uranium mining project to Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ), the proposed projects would be at Mutanga and Dibwe to be mined by open pit.

The EIS stated that the ore from the said open pits would be subsequently processed into uranium oxide concentrate for export.

“Denison Mines Zambia Limited intends to mine uranium ore from the Mutanga and Dibwe open pits in Siavonga district,” the EIS read in part. “The project will develop two open pits, one at Mutanga covering approximately 33 hectares and the other at Dibwe covering approximately 54.3 hectares. The Mutanga open pit will be 750m long and 550m wide. The Dibwe open pit will be developed approximately 10 kilometres southwest of the Mutanga pit and will be 1,550 metres long and 350 metres wide. The investment cost of the project is estimated to be US $118 million.”

During the mine operations, approximately 107 households would be displaced from surrounding settlements which include Chiyobeka, Kasambo, Sinangosi, Kapita, Chilundu and Kumulilansolo villages.

Following the recent approval of new regulations to guide uranium mining activities by the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency, the Ministry of Mines started issuing uranium mining licences to foreign companies.

Among the companies that are actively involved in uranium mining in the country included Lumwana Mining Company, Munali mines and Denison Mines Zambia Limited.

Labels: DENISON MINE, EIS, SIAVONGA, URANIUM

posted by MrK @ 7:51 PM