At the heart of Greenpeace’s report ‘Left in the dust: Areva's radioactive legacy in the desert towns of Niger’ is the human cost of nuclear power. If we are going to embrace nuclear power then, every time you flick a switch and nuclear-powered light bulb comes on, you must accept the suffering of the likes of the people who live around Areva’s uranium mines in Niger (and those people are by no means the only people to suffer at the hands of the nuclear industry).

This is what the nuclear industry wants us to forget. According to them, nuclear power is just a matter ‘safe’, ‘clean’ and ‘reliable’ reactors producing ‘low carbon’ electricity. They don’t want to think about where the fuel for those reactors come from, about the contaminated streets of Arlit and Akokan. They don’t want you to think about the people of Niger trapped at the bottom of the United Nation’s Human Development Index.

But, if you’re pro-nuclear power, think about them you must.

Find out more:
- AREVA’S dirty little secret
- From Niger to Geneva
- Left in the Dust - Areva's uranium mining in Niger

Posted by Justin at 6:13 PM | Permalink

Yesterday Greenpeace launched its brand new report, a little bomb of information in the nuclear world, entitled "Left in the dust: Areva's radioactive legacy in the desert towns of Niger".

The press conference took place in in Geneva, Switzerland, city hosting numerous international organizations, and among them the United Nations' World Health Organization. Jean Ziegler, vice-president of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee was the first to speak. He rang the alarm on the dramatic situation in Niger regarding food and health. He also pointed out how international law could be used to trigger pressure on countries like France and Switzerland, and through them on companies like Areva who do not endorse the full responsibility of the damages they cause in other countries like Niger.

Ziegler's alarming words only proved Greenpeace was right to go to Niger last November to check in which context the population of the mining towns of Arlit and Akokan live, showing one more time that Areva is not a trustworthy company.

Dr Rianne Teule from Greenpeace International and Dr Bruno Chareyron from CRIIRAD (an independent French laboratory that did our analysis) demonstrated Areva does not deserve peoples' trust. That it does not deserve the trust of the Nigerien mining towns' people who are clearly suffering from conditions imposed by the French company for not respecting international norms. And that our fight is the right one.

Media came, the room quickly got quite crowded and it was so motivating to see journalists' interest grow as the press conference unrolled. After asking numerous questions, the journalists were presented a short movie of the Greenpeace expedition in Niger and were then offered the opportunity to have a demonstration of radioactivity measurements of some of the samples brought back from Niger.

Funnily enough, journalists were not so keen on approaching the big cement barrel at the right corner of the room where the samples were safely guarded. Of course there was no danger in doing so as everything was cautiously sealed and manipulated, but nuclear radiations is a serious and even scary topic. Nuclear energy, from the very bottom of the chain with the mining, to the processing and storage of nuclear waste is a danger for human health and the environment.

If you are ready to face the truth and want to learn more about Areva's legacy in Niger follow me.

(This post is by Anne-Laure Meladeck, Climate & Energy Officer for Greenpeace International)

Posted by Justin at 12:26 PM | Permalink

Uranium mining by French nuclear company AREVA poses a serious threat to the environment and people of northern Niger in West Africa.

Operations of Nuclear giant AREVA put lives at risk in Niger

Uranium mines in Niger operated by the state-owned French nuclear giant AREVA continue to create a radioactive hazard for the people living nearby. A new report released today by Greenpeace reveals contamination levels in the air, water and soil above internationally accepted limits.

“Radioactivity increases poverty because it creates more victims. With each day passes we are exposed to radiation and continue to be surrounded by poisoned air, polluted water and earth – while AREVA makes hundreds of millions from our natural resources.” said Almoustapha Alhacen, President of the local Nigerian NGO Aghir in’ Man (which means “the shield of the soul” in the Touareg language, is a local environmental and human rights organization).

Last November, Greenpeace carried out soil, water and air tests in Arlit and Akokan, located a few kilometers from the mines. The samples were studied in collaboration with the France-based Research and Independent Information on Radioactivity Commission (CRIIRAD).

“The analysis we have performed show that the uranium contamination in four out of five water samples exceed World Health Organisation safety limits*. We found evidence of radon, a radioactive gas dissolved in water and also chemical elements. Even so, this water is still being distributed to the population and the workers for consumption” said Bruno Chareyron, an engineer in Nuclear Physics from CRIIRAD.

Half of AREVA's uranium comes from two mines in Niger, one of Africa's poorest countries despite being the world's third largest uranium producer for more than 40 years. Areva, has also signed a deal to start tapping a third mine in the desert nation from 2013 or 2014.

“AREVA claims that it is an environmentally friendly company are not borne out in reality, the shocking levels of contamination in Niger reveal the truth. AREVA must take immediate action to end the routine radioactive contamination of villages surrounding their Nigerien mines.” said Rianne Teule, Greenpeace International nuclear campaigner.“ AREVA must also put in place long-term health monitoring of the local population.”

Greenpeace is calling for an independent study around the mines and mining towns in Niger followed by a thorough clean up and decontamination. AREVA must take responsibility for its actions not only in Niger, but worldwide.

* Guidelines for drinking water quality, first addendum to third edition. Vol. 1: Recommendations. WHO, 2006. This version of the guidelines integrates the third edition, which was published in 2004.

Posted by Justin at 11:05 AM | Permalink

Dr Bertrand Barré, a scientific adviser to French nuclear giant AREVA has been telling Ireland it should get itself a nuclear reactor ASAP [http://www.sbpost.ie/newsfeatures/nuclear-power-is-irelands-most-affordable-option-48661.html].

The wind is variable, and there is no sun at night. In order to produce base load electricity without carbon emissions - especially in Ireland, where there is very little potential for hydroelectricity, because there are no big mountains - I think nuclear will be necessary.

A scientific adviser for a nuclear company recommending nuclear power? What a shock.

What we have here is another retelling of the baseload myth again. There are days when we wonder of it’s just about the last argument the nuclear industry has left. Time and again they argue for huge, complex, expensive and centralised electricity generation.

Ireland is a sparsely populated country. It’s a country ideally suited to smaller, decentralised electricity generation methods not one connected to another reactor pumping its filth into the Irish Sea (which is, thanks to the Sellafield nuclear plant on the opposite side on the sea in the UK, one of the most contaminated stretches of water in the world.)

Moving on, Dr Barré took time to talk about Greenpeace’s findings of contamination in the villages around AREVA’s uranium mines in Niger. We’re very happy to restate our case. ‘Environmental measures’ at the Niger mines are ‘quite comparable to the measures taken elsewhere in uranium mines’. When you take a look at the contamination at other uranium mines around the world – Caetite in Brazil, Kakadu in Australia, Wollaston Lake in Canada – ‘quite comparable’ is really nothing to boast about.

Dr Barré also spoke of the positive benefits of uranium mining in Niger:

“Uranium is one of their main resources, so we are not in fact exporting pollution, we are in fact helping the development of Niger," said Barré.

According to AREVA’s own website the company has been present in Niger for more than 40 years. And yet the country remains firmly at the bottom of the United Nation’s Human Development Index, 182nd out of 182. Forty years of AREVA mining doesn’t seem to be ‘helping the development of Niger’ very much.

“Niger is a very poor country and, without the use of uranium, it would be much worse."

Much worse? Unless the UN is considering extending its Index to allow Niger to sink lower than the bottom, it’s difficult to imagine how things could be worse.

Posted by Justin at 2:55 PM | Permalink

Here is a press release from AREVA about Greenpeace's finding at the uranium mining villages in Niger.

Here is Greenpeace's response.

On previous inspections

All the previous inspections were either limited to specific problems or were not done independently. They are no substitute for the independent, comprehensive inspections Greenpeace is calling for. Such a full assessment has never been done.

Areva’s release did not mention that the 2004 IRSN inspection found that some of the water wells in the mining region were contaminated with radioactive elements.

On transparency

Areva have been repeatedly warned by other NGOs about high levels of radiation and radioactive scrap metal within Akokan and Arlit. Yet they have failed to sufficiently address these issues.

Every day Nigeriens are exposed to radiation, illness and poverty -- while Areva makes millions from their natural resources. It is shocking to see that Areva blame the messenger when they should be focusing on the people in Niger.

Greenpeace visited Niger in November 2009. Only after repeated requests from Greenpeace did AREVA invite the team to visit the mining sites. The limited survey done by the Greenpeace team was done without involvement of AREVA.

We provided this report in draft form to Areva on March 26 and have not received comments back. Once the report is finalized we will provide it to authorities in Niger.

On the results

The Greenpeace report is not yet finalised. However, it is clear from our findings that AREVA's mining operations have significant impacts on the environment and the population around the mines.

Our analysis showed that there is high levels of radiation in the streets of Akokan (see publication in Nov09) and objects contaminated with radioactivity in the metal market in Arlit. Most of the water samples collected in the mining towns were contaminated, radioactive soil was found in a publicly accessible area. Tailings from the mines are stored in open air without any protection.

In the previous years, other work including Areva’s own analyses have shown the problems with uranium contamination of water and high levels of radiation in the street. They have not taken adequate action to address these problems, but should do so immediately.

Posted by Justin at 11:05 AM | Permalink

The nuclear industry’s most famous salesman, French President Nicholas Sarkozy (where does he find the time to do anything else?), has once again been singing the praises of nuclear energy and its miraculous powers to do almost anything. On this occasion, it’s the ability to solve world poverty….

Speaking at the International Conference on Access to Nuclear Energy in Paris today, Sarkozy said that solutions to future energy needs would not be found in no-growth theories. Such policies were selfish and would force the poorest people of the world to stay in their current situation and 'would close the door' on have-nots. France is deeply convinced that nuclear power is the key to more equitably sharing wealth on the planet.

It’s a piece of breathtaking hypocrisy from the President. Let us, for example, look to Niger in Western Africa. The country provides 40-45 per cent of the uranium needed to fuel French nuclear reactors. French companies have been mining uranium in Niger since 1971. In 2008 uranium mining generated 260 million euros in revenue for French nuclear corporation AREVA.

So how are things in Niger after 40 years of French mining? Has nuclear power been ‘the key to more equitably sharing wealth’ in Niger?

In short: No.

Niger is firmly rooted to the bottom of the United Nation’s Human Development Index which ‘provides a composite measure of three dimensions of human development: living a long and healthy life, being educated and having a decent standard of living’. Eleven out of every hundred babies born in Niger die before their first birthday.

The nuclear industry has brought contamination to the people of Niger and left poverty in its wake. Where is the concern from the French government about their plight? French uranium mining did not pause for one second during or after the military coup which took place last month.

President Sarkozy seems to have a highly selective eye when it comes to the ‘have-nots’ of the world. Those have-nots who might buy his country’s reactors are worthy of attention whereas those have-nots who merely help fuel those reactors can be safely ignored. Niger is another of the nuclear industry’s dirty little secrets. Don’t expect to see it featured in any flashy PR videos or glossy brochures.

So let’s take Sarkozy’s words and frame them in a more honest way: French nuclear policies are selfish and force the poorest people of the world to stay in their current situation and do 'close the door' on have-nots.

Posted by Justin at 1:22 PM | Permalink

It’s just over a month since Greenpeace announced it had found high radiation contamination levels in the streets of Akokan close to French nuclear company AREVA’s uranium mines in Niger.

Today, we’re able to tell you that AREVA have confirmed with their own survey that radiation levels in the area were unacceptably high after having earlier declared the streets of Akokan safe. The company says the area has now been cleaned and also checked by the radiation safety authority. It also states that it has a plan of action for a complete survey of the two cities close to its uranium mines, and is promising that by the end of next year both will have been completely checked and cleaned up.

However, we remain worried. Would this action have been taken had it not been for Greenpeace visiting Akokan and taking its own radiation measurements? Why did AREVA’s own monitoring procedures not detect radioactive contamination levels as high as 500 times normal levels? Are the companies monitoring techniques adequate? The health and environmental impacts of years of uranium mining in Niger has yet to be fully assessed. That’s why Greenpeace is demanding a comprehensive, transparent and independent environmental assessment of the area be conducted urgently.

A full report of what Greenpeace found in Niger will be released soon.

(More information in French can be found at Nigerdiaspora.net. The Greenpeace briefing document for our findings is here. Radiation measurement tool photograph © Greenpeace/Philip Reynaers)

Posted by Justin at 2:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

French nuclear corporation AREVA is launching what it calls a ‘Community Advisory Council’ (CAC). The Council will apparently ‘raise greater awareness of the benefits of clean energy technology, including nuclear energy and renewables’ and ‘build a working group of representatives from influential organizations who will informally advise the company on energy and sustainability issues’.

We’ll move swiftly over AREVA once again greenwashing nuclear energy as ‘clean’ and instead focus on what Laurence Pernot, vice president of communications at AREVA, had to say about his CAC:

When it is about energy, there must be no taboo subjects. All issues, including the tricky ones, must be on the table. And when it is about nuclear energy in particular, public concerns must be taken seriously and addressed honestly.

No taboo subjects? All issues, including the tricky ones, must be on the table? Concerns must be taken seriously and addressed honestly?

If this is the case then why, in the month since Greenpeace announced it had found radioactive contamination on the streets of a village close to AREVA’s uranium mines in Niger, has there not been a single word on the subject from AREVA?

Is radioactive contamination in Niger a ‘taboo’ subject for AREVA? Is this ‘tricky’ issue on the table or not? When will these concerns be 'taken seriously and addressed honestly' by the company?

Posted by Justin at 12:30 PM | Permalink

Yesterday, the BBC World Service's Africa in Focus radio programme featured Greenpeace's findings of radioactive contamination on the streets of the villages close to AREVA's uranium mines in Niger. You can listen to it here…

AREVA have been uncharacteristically silent on this matter. As the radio presenter says at the end of the piece: `We tried to contact the uranium mining company AREVA for comments but they were not reachable.'

The company were certainly reachable when Greenpeace activists boarded the Happy Ranger en-route to Areva's OL3 nuclear reactor last month. AREVA were extremely quick in labelling the activists as `militants'. But when there's evidence that AREVA are putting people's health at risk in Niger? The company spin doctors are nowhere to be seen.

AREVA may be silent but voices in Niger are determined to be heard. Tomorrow, a peaceful march to protest against AREVA and its subsidiaries in Niger is being held by the people of Arlit where AREVA has a uranium mine.

Posted by Justin at 5:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Radio France Internationale have featured Greenpeace’s findings of radioactive contamination on the streets of Niger’s uranium mining villages. You can hear an interview with Greenpeace International nuclear campaigner Rianne Teule who was part of the team that found the contamination.

Last year Niger produced nearly 7% of the world’s uranium and is one of the four largest supplier of uranium to the European Union. Yet for all its fuelling of the world’s nuclear reactors, Niger’s people have the worst quality of life in the world, sitting at the very bottom of the United Nation’s Human Development Index. They pay the price but see none of the wealth when we turn on the lights at night.

Posted by Justin at 4:51 PM | Permalink

Just in case you thought the radioactive contamination found close to uranium mines was peculiar only to Niger…

…Brazil’s Brazilian Nuclear Industries (INB) has just been fined $1 million for covering up a leak of radioactive liquid at its uranium mine at Caetité.

This is the same Caetité where last year Greenpeace found drinking water to be contaminated with high levels of uranium.

A year later and it seems things have not changed. Brazil’s ‘Institute of Water Management and Climate (INGA) and the Department of Health (Sesab) notified the municipal authorities of Caetité, Lagoa Real and Livramento de Nossa Senhora’ to stop the consumption of water from six wells and springs after ‘the presence of alpha and beta radioactivity’ was detected. A report on the source of the contamination is due in three weeks.

(More information is available in Portuguese at Greenpeace Brazil)

Posted by Justin at 5:27 PM | Permalink

Greenpeace has found high radiation contamination levels in the streets of Akokan where children play. What is even more disturbing is that this just year AREVA claimed that those same streets were safe.

It began in 2003 when radioactive contamination was found in towns close to Niger’s uranium mines by the independent laboratory CRIIRAD and local NGO Aghir In’Man.

In 2007 CRIIRAD found dangerous levels of radiation levels near the hospital in the mining village of Akokan. The mine operator, French nuclear giant AREVA, admitted to widespread contamination in the village.

In October of that year, the mining company and AREVA subsidiary COMINAK reported the contamination had been addressed. In September 2009 AREVA confirmed to CRIIRAD that a clean up had been done and the streets made safe.

It is clear that this is not true.

There are still radioactive materials in the street of Akokan. Greenpeace’s findings directly contradict AREVA’s assurances. The people of these villages are being exposed to unnecessarily high levels of radiation. In one area Greenpeace tested, the radiation was almost 500 times higher than normal levels.

This is the hidden cost of nuclear power: innocent men, women and children exposed to radiation, exploitation and danger. It’s something you won’t see in the nuclear industry’s glossy brochures and on its impressive websites.

This is what we must accept if we are to continue using nuclear power for our energy needs. The uranium from Niger is used to keep the lights on in France. Nuclear reactors must have uranium. To obtain that uranium it seems that people must suffer. It is a story told wherever in the world uranium is mined. Ask yourself: would you like to live near a uranium mine?

The nuclear industry does not want you to think about the dust in the streets of Niger. Instead it wants you to think about its so-called clean and safe energy. Are the streets of Akokan clean? Are its people safe?

AREVA has shown it cannot be trusted to take care of this problem themselves. An immediate and comprehensive independent assessment and clean up must be done to ensure that the people of the mining villages are protected from AREVA’s radiation.

(A detailed briefing on Greenpeace’s findings in Akokan can be found here)

Posted by Justin at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Today's big stories from the nuclear industry:

Globe and Mail: Canada Reactor design puts safety of nuclear plants into question
’Canadian nuclear safety regulators say they have underestimated the seriousness of a design feature at the country's electricity-producing reactors that would cause them to experience dangerous power pulses during a major accident. If reactors are not shut down quickly, their ability to keep radioactivity from escaping would be put to the test, according to an internal commission document. The document says Canada's seven nuclear stations, which all use Candu technology, have a feature known as "positive reactivity feedback," in which their atomic chain reactions automatically speed up if the water pumped into the reactors to cool them leaks, one of the worst accidents possible at a nuclear station. If reactors aren't immediately shut down during this type of incident, positive reactivity leads to a quick snowballing in the pace of nuclear reactions, which in turn could cause potentially damaging overheating. The document was obtained by the anti-nuclear environmental group Greenpeace through a federal Access to Information Act request. Positive reactivity is "the Achilles heel of Candu," said spokesman Shawn-Patrick Stensil, who contended it amounts to a design flaw that puts the safety of the reactors into question.’

Continue reading "Nuclear News: Canada Reactor design puts safety of nuclear plants into question" »

Posted by Justin at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Today's big stories from the nuclear industry:

China View: IAEA discovers traces of uranium in Syria
’CAIRO, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday that it has found traces of processed uranium in a second site in Syrian capital Damascus, Pan-Arab Al-Arabiya TV reported on Saturday. The IAEA is investigating a U.S. intelligence report which claimed that a secret DPRK-designed nuclear reactor that Syria has almost completed for the production of plutonium.’

Continue reading "Nuclear News: IAEA discovers traces of uranium in Syria" »

Posted by Justin at 2:04 PM | Permalink