Fourth Largest Uranium Producer - air foamposite pro

Thompson also wrote in his travel advisory, The combination of widespread Tuareg discontent, a highly motivated and increasingly capable Tuareg insurgent group, and the Niger governments entrenched political position suggests that a protracted, and possibly bloody, conflict in northern Niger is now highly likely, and may even spread to neighbouring countries air foamposite pro. The MNJ has been active for the past six months, as the spot uranium price reached a historic high. A week before the Chinese uranium executive was kidnapped, Thompson warned the MNJ would attack softer targets, such as foreign companies and personnel Replica Breitling Watches.Earlier this year, Nigers Minister of Mines and Energy, Mohammed Abdoulahi, said his staff was reviewing about 100 exploration applications from 26 companies. After Namibia had closed the exploration license window, many chose to pursue uranium opportunities in Niger Replica Rolex Watches.Most eager were the Chinese. The country had announced ambitious plans to build new nuclear reactors to continue fueling Chinas astounding GDP growth, while at the same time hoping to reduce its share of carbon dioxide emissions Replica IWC Watches. China is the worlds largest consumer of coal and hopes to reduce its coal dependence through the use of nuclear, natural gas and other less pollutive alternatives. The Tuareg rebels have complained about Chinese workers taking the jobs of local workers. Ag Alambo issued a warning that he was opposed to foreign companies supplying Nigers national army, which has been detaining and killing civilians during a brutal regional security crackdown.At the root of the recent Tuareg hostilities is the demand to have greater control over Nigers mineral resources, especially the countrys uranium interests. Uranium comprises more than 70 percent of the countrys exports. Ironically, Niger derives 100 percent of its electricity from fossil fuels. The electricity-producing power plant the rebels attacked earlier this year generates power to mine uranium.In 1998, the Tuareg nomads were promised greater autonomy by the Niamey-based government in southern Niger, but all promises appear to have been broken. Rebellion by the tribespeople has been sporadic, yet violent, since the 1960s.Thompson reported in his travel advisory, Sources on the ground suggest that the group (MNJ) is largely made up of veteran Tuareg militants, who were integrated into the Niger military under the terms of the 1998 agreement and subsequently defected.In question is who dictates how the land is used whether for agriculture or uranium mining. The Tuareg nomads want the arable land for their camels, goats and sheep.The agriculture and livestock sectors provide about 80 percent of the countrys employment. Only 15 percent of Nigers land is arable, and herein lies the problem. The Chinese have been exploring near the oasis of Indall, which because of its salt diapirs could host prolific uranium deposits.But the salty plains hold a cultural significance. Each September, as they have for centuries, Tuareg, Peul and Arab nomads gather for the annual salt cure. During their annual reunion, they exchange news of their nomadic travels while their livestock graze on the grass of the oasis.An MNJ spokesman explained that if Indall became a mining town, it would be a disaster.And a disaster is what could possibly occur between now and September, before the annual nomadic gathering, should the MNJ insurgents continue targeting uranium interests in Niger.This is not an anomalous episode, open to instant resolution. The traditional Tuareg lifestyle has been collapsing since the 1970s because of desertification and drought, especially the severe droughts of 1972-74 and 1984-85. Having found themselves forced onto the economic and political sidelines, they took up arms in the 1990s. This led to the resolution of 1998, which was never honored. Dissatisfaction has driven the nomads to rebel. One expert commented, The Tuareg problem in Niger was never resolved.And now the Tuareg and other nomads appear to have banded together to reclaim their territory, which includes uranium prospecting licenses awarded to foreign operators.Most likely to be impacted should the Akouta underground uranium mine suffer any damage is AREVA, which owns 34 percent of the Cominak, the company which mines this deposit. Other foreign companies holding interests are Japans Overseas Uranium Resource Development Company (25 percent) and Spains Enusa (10 percent). Uranium concentrates, produ