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Canada-based Global Atomic Corporation said yesterday it is in discussions with Orano Mining to deliver uranium-bearing rock from its Dasa project in Niger to Orano's Somaïr facility for processing. The company has changed its plans for the mine which it now intends to develop as an underground-only operation, and expects to release a preliminary economic assessment for the project within the second quarter of this year.

France intends to ensure the continuity of uranium production in northern Niger, Nicolas Maes, head of Orano's mining business unit, said following an 11 March audience with Nigerien Prime Minister Birgi Rafini. This will mean ensuring that Orano subsidiary Somaïr can continue operating for as long as possible, or at least until the Imouraren project resumes, he said.

The Senate of Nigeria has called on the government to consider the inclusion of nuclear power in the country's energy mix. In resolutions agreed yesterday, it asked the government to give the Nigerian Atomic ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß Commission a mandate to ensure timely talks with nuclear reactor vendors.

The operator of the Nigerian Research Reactor-1, known as NIRR-1, has shown a high commitment to safety following the conversion of the reactor core to use low-enriched uranium as fuel instead of high-enriched uranium, according to the International Atomic ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß Agency. It made a number of recommendations to the Nigeria Atomic ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß Commission to further enhance safety.

The government of Niger and GoviEx have agreed on a framework to develop jointly GoviEx's Madaouela uranium project that will see the government purchase a second 10% share.

The last known highly enriched uranium in Nigeria has been repatriated to China, leaving the African country HEU-free.

China has begun the shipment of low-enriched uranium fuel for use in the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 , a Chinese-supplied Miniature Neutron Source Reactor that currently uses high-enriched uranium fuel.

The government of Niger has a strong commitment to developing the infrastructure for a nuclear power programme, an International Atomic ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß Agency mission has concluded. Niger, whose economic development is hampered by a lack of consistent electricity supply, is considering a potential role for nuclear power in its energy mix, the IAEA said. A country of about 21 million people in Western Africa, Niger is currently ranked as the world’s fourth largest producer of uranium ore.

Peninsula ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß Limited has formally submitted a request to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to amend its existing permit to allow the use of a low-pH recovery solution at the Lance uranium project in Wyoming, USA. This is expected to increase recovery rates and improve the cost profile of the project. Meanwhile, a study has highlighted the potential of membrane separation to improve economics at GoviEx Uranium's Madouela project in Niger.

A new peer review service has been launched by the International Atomic ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß Agency to assist member states in the development of infrastructure for nuclear research reactors. The first Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review for Research Reactors mission was carried out last week in Nigeria.

Nigeria and Russia have signed agreements on the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant and a nuclear research centre, including a multi-purpose research reactor, in the African country.

Nigeria has a committed regulatory body that works for the continuous improvement of nuclear and radiation safety, an International Atomic ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß Agency (IAEA) peer review mission has concluded. However, it noted challenges related to its independence in implementing regulatory decisions and activities.