Economic rationale for Canada's future uranium policy

After the dramatic increase in prices for uranium over the 1972–1975 period, prices have declined in real terms. This article examines the future supply, demand and price trends for uranium, and predicts that a situation of excess supply will result in the 1980s, bringing a continuing decline in real prices, unless Canada and other net exporters, most importantly Australia, agree to restrict supplies in order to maintain the price of uranium at its present level in real terms. Such a policy would have substantial benefits for Canada and other net exporters of uranium.     

The uranium and nuclear industries in China

This article reviews the available information on the uranium industry and the beginning of nuclear power in China. Few details of China's uranium industry have hitherto been published in the West. The broad conclusions reached are that China is faced with severe energy shortages for the foreseeable future; nuclear power will help to solve this problem but the timing and extent of its contribution are uncertain. The central question of civil nuclear policy is whether or not to use imported technology, although satisfactory development of the uranium industry probably will require foreign assistance. The principle conestraint in this regard is foreign exchange. To help overcome this problem the Chinese are now, for the first time, offering uranium on the international market.     

QUANTIFICATION OF ACTINIDE MIGRATION PATHWAYS AT ROCKY FLATS,COLORADO1

ABSTRACT: Migration of plutonium, americium, and uranium (actinides) in the environment at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS) is the subject of ongoing studies to develop effective strategies for cleanup and regulatory closure of the Department of Energy facility. The Actinide Migration Evaluation pathway analysis quantified actinide transport processes to validate a qualitative conceptual model of environmental actinide transport. Major actinide transport mechanisms evaluated include surface water, ground water, airborne, and biological pathways. Relative quantities of actinide movement via different pathways were compared in terms of actinide loads delivered off the RFETS, using a combination of monitoring data, predictive transport models and results from historic RFETS studies. Results indicate air and surface water constitute the dominant transport mechanisms for plutonium and americium. In ground water, shallow alluvial flow is a limited pathway for plutonium and americium because of the low aqueous solubility of these actinides and their tendency to sorb to soil. However, localized flow in shallow alluvium is a more significant pathway for uranium movement, because of the relatively higher solubility of uranium (VI) species, though isotopic ratios indicate much of the uranium is from natural sources. Biological transport of actinides by mammals, birds, fish, and arthropods is small compared to the other pathways.     

Stockpiles of obsolete pesticides and cleanup priorities: A methodology and application for Tunisia

Obsolete pesticides have accumulated in almost every developing country or economy in transition over the past several decades. Concerned about the risks these chemicals pose to nearby residents, public health and environmental authorities are eager to reduce health threats by removing and decontaminating stockpile sites. However, there are many sites, cleanup can be costly, and public resources are scarce, so decision makers need to set priorities. Under these conditions, it seems sensible to develop a methodology for prioritizing sites and treating them sequentially, as budgetary resources permit.This paper presents a new methodology that develops a cleanup priority index for 1915 metric tons of obsolete pesticide formulations at 197 stockpile sites in Tunisia. The approach integrates information on populations at risk, their proximity to stockpiles, and the relative toxic hazards of the stockpiles. What emerges from the Tunisia results is a strategy for sequentially addressing all 197 sites to rapidly reduce potential health damage in a cost-effective way.     

Long-term leaching of uranium from different waste matrices

A semi-dynamic leaching test was carried out for metallurgical wastes and ore samples from the uranium and copper mining industry over a 142 day period using distilled water and 0.1N NaNO(3) as solvents. Laser fluorimetry was used as the analytical technique to determine the total uranium content in the leachates. The cumulative leach fraction (CLF) of uranium release from the samples was calculated to be 0.22, 0.22, 0.07 and 0.39% for rock, uranium tailings, copper kinker ash samples and copper tailings respectively using distilled water as solvent and 0.31, 0.27, 0.05 and 0.59% for the same matrices using 0.1N NaNO(3). The release of mobile uranium fraction was very slow, being faster in the initial stage and then attained a near steady state condition. The diffusion coefficient and bulk release of uranium from the samples have been calculated. The processes governing the release of uranium from these matrices have been identified to be surface wash-off and diffusion. Hence the use of weak solvents (leach out the mobile/exchangeable fraction of uranium) under semi-dynamic conditions aids the determination of leaching parameters and identification of the leaching mechanism for mobile uranium fraction from different matrices by slow leaching processes.     

Environmental impact and management of phosphogypsum

The production of phosphoric acid from natural phosphate rock by the wet process gives rise to an industrial by-product called phosphogypsum (PG). About 5 tons of PG are generated per ton of phosphoric acid production, and worldwide PG generation is estimated to be around 100–280 Mt per year. This by-product is mostly disposed of without any treatment, usually by dumping in large stockpiles. These are generally located in coastal areas close to phosphoric acid plants, where they occupy large land areas and cause serious environmental damage. PG is mainly composed of gypsum but also contains a high level of impurities such as phosphates, fluorides and sulphates, naturally occurring radionuclides, heavy metals, and other trace elements. All of this adds up to a negative environmental impact and many restrictions on PG applications. Up to 15% of world PG production is used to make building materials, as a soil amendment and as a set controller in the manufacture of Portland cement; uses that have been banned in most countries. The USEPA has classified PG as a “Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material” (TENORM).     

Antibiotic losses from unprotected manure stockpiles

Manure management is a major concern in livestock production systems. Although historically the primary concerns have been nutrients and pathogens, manure is also a source of emerging contaminants, such as antibiotics, to the environment. There is a growing concern that antibiotics in manure are reaching surface and ground waters and contributing to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment. One such pathway is through leaching and runoff from manure stockpiles. In this study, we quantified chlortetracycline, monensin, and tylosin losses in runoff from beef manure stockpiles during two separate but consecutive experiments representing different weather conditions (i.e., temperature and precipitation amount and form). Concentrations of chlortetracycline, monensin, and tylosin in runoff were positively correlated with initial concentrations of antibiotics in manure. The highest concentrations of chlortetracycline, monensin, and tylosin in runoff were 210, 3175, and 2544 microg L(-1), respectively. Relative antibiotic losses were primarily a function of water losses. In the experiment that had higher runoff water losses, antibiotic losses ranged from 1.2 to 1.8% of total extractable antibiotics in manure. In the experiment with lower runoff water losses, antibiotic losses varied from 0.2 to 0.6% of the total extractable antibiotics in manure. Manure analysis over time suggests that in situ degradation is an important mechanism for antibiotic losses. Degradation losses during manure stockpiling may exceed cumulative losses from runoff events. Storing manure in protected (i.e., covered) facilities could reduce the risk of aquatic contamination associated with manure stockpiling and other outdoor manure management practices.     

Considerations of energy cost and versatility in choosing optimal stockpile forms

Policies relating to national strategic stockpiles are changing to reflect the fact that stored materials embody energy and processing time in addition to the materials themselves. The choice of optimal material form for stockpiling depends on the versatility of the material, the amount of energy embodied, and other considerations. A rigorous theoretical examination of optimal form is not practical, but a preliminary examination of the energy requirement by processing stage for strategic and critical materials is performed. The analysis suggests a number of possible changes in the present configuration of stockpile materials.     

Forecast of the demand and supply plan of China’s uranium resources till 2030

This paper’s purpose is to predict China’s uranium resources demand from 2016 to 2030 based on experimental modeling. In addition, we discuss the future supply structure of China’s uranium resources by analyzing the domestic and foreign supply capacity of China’s uranium resources. According the forecast results, Chinese uranium resource demand will reach 21385 tU in 2030 under a medium scenario. Due to the poor endowment of uranium resources, China’s domestic uranium production will increase slowly. It can be calculated that the total demand of uranium resources in China during 2016–2030 will be 216581 tU, the cumulative production of domestic production will be 37900 tU, the overseas production will be 41950 tU, and the international market purchases will be 130574 tU. Hence, the cumulative degree of dependence on foreign resources is approximately 80%. China’s foreign dependence on uranium will be greater than for oil, and the situation will become extremely serious. Therefore, we put forward several suggestions to ensure the supply of China’s uranium resources: (1) strengthening mineral exploration and increasing domestic production, (2) actively operating the “going out” strategy, (3) enhancing the enterprise competition ability, and (4) establishing uranium resource reserves. By these means, China could efficiently guarantee the domestic uranium resource security and respond to the competition of India’s uranium resources demand increased.     

Australia's uranium

Australia's uranium comprises about 18% of the Western World's reasonably assured reserves. Mining, milling and export have been proceeding since the federal government's decision in August 1977. The timetable for development of several other projects involves matters such as environmental issues, approval by the aboriginal people and mining practice policies. The author discusses the background to present uranium mining in Australia and examines the industry's likely international significance.     

Salt Flushing,Salt Storage,and Controls on Selenium and Uranium: A 31‐Year Mass‐Balance Analysis of an Irrigated,Semiarid Valley

Salinity, selenium, and uranium pose water‐quality challenges for the Arkansas River in southeastern Colorado and other rivers that support irrigation in semiarid regions. This study used 31 years of continuous discharge and specific conductance (SC) monitoring data to assess interannual patterns in water quality using mass balance on a 120‐km reach of river. Discrete sampling data were used to link the SC records to salinity, selenium, and uranium. Several important patterns emerged. Consumptive use reduced discharge by a median value of 33% and drove corresponding increases in salinity and uranium concentrations. Increased water availability for irrigation from rainfall and upstream snowpack in 1995–1999 flushed additional salinity and uranium into the river in 1996–2000; average annual total dissolved solids (salinity) concentrations increased 25%, and loads increased 131%. Smaller flushing events have occurred, sometimes lagging an increase in water availability by about one year. The pattern indicates flushing of salts temporarily stored, evaporatively concentrated, or of geologic origin. Mobilization of selenium from the reach was minor compared to salinity and uranium, and net selenium removal from the river was suggested in some years. Several processes related to irrigation could be removing selenium. The results provide context for efforts to improve water quality in the Arkansas River and rivers in other semiarid regions.     

铀吸附实验研究现状

介绍了铀吸附实验的研究现状,对吸附铀的各种载体进行了总结。目前,主要采用静态法（批示法）和动态法（柱法）进行铀的吸附实验研究。吸附铀的载体主要有粘土,金属的水合氧化物等肢体,藻类及菌类,树脂等。主要考察pH值、温度、吸附时间、阴离子、阳离子、细菌浓度、铀浓度等对吸附速率及吸附量的影响。     

Phosphorus speciation in manure-amended alkaline soils

Two common manure storage practices are stockpiles and lagoons. The manure from stockpiles is applied to soils in solid form, while lagoon manure is applied as a liquid. Soil amendment with manure in any form introduces a significant amount of phosphorus (P) that exists in both organic and inorganic forms. However, little is known about P speciation in manure stored under different conditions, or the subsequent forms when applied to soils. We used solution (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and conventional P fractionation and speciation methods to investigate P forms in dairy manure and liquid lagoon manure, and to study how long-term amendment with these manures influenced surface and subsurface soil P speciation. Our results show that the P forms in solid and lagoon manure are similar. About 30% of the total P was organic, mostly as orthophosphate monoesters. On a dry weight basis, total P was much higher in the solid manure. In the manure-amended soils the total P concentrations of the surface soils were similar, regardless of manure type. Total P in the subsurface soil was greater in the lagoon-manure-amended soil than the solid-manure-amended subsurface soil. However, the fraction of organic P was greater in the subsurface of the solid-manure-amended soil. The NMR results indicate that the majority of organic P in the soils is phytic acid, which is enriched in the surface soils compared with the subsurface soils. These results provide insight into P speciation and dynamics in manure-amended soils that will further increase our understanding on how best to manage manure disposal on soils.     

IMPACTS OF WATER USE EFFICIENCY ON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT1

ABSTRACT: To help meet national energy demands, interest has been focused on the coal, oil shale, and uranium deposits of the Upper Colorado River Basin. Several energy output projections for the basin have been presented based upon water availability. Inherent in all these analyses are estimates as to the rate of water use in each energy development. New energy technologies are characterized by parameters extrapolated from small scale energy facilities. The data provide projected costs, conversion efficiencies, and material inputs and outputs. Alternative techniques for process cooling and solids handling provide variable rates of water use which affect other conversion parameters. Results from a mathematical model are used in analyzing the sensitivity of an optimal energy development strategy for the Upper Colorado River Basin. The impacts of alternative water use rates are investigated in terms of net energy output, total cost, and displacements in the development strategy. Similarly, controls and regulations on energy resource development are evaluated.     

The economics of uranium demand

The major characteristics of the demand for uranium are identified, and a number of factors which determine the actual level of uranium requirements of the nuclear power industry are discussed. Since the role of inventories is central to the process of short-term price formation, by comparing projections of uranium production and apparent consumption, the relative level of total inventories is calculated and an assessment is made of its likely impact on the uranium market during the 1980s.     

The potential supply of energy minerals in Australia

Australia is a sparsely populated country that is well endowed with energy resources, and the size of coal, natural gas, and uranium reserves relative to domestic demand has given Australia the opportunity to become a major exporter of these fuels. This paper assesses Australian supply potential of these three fuels, together with crude oil, through to the early years of the next century. With the exception of crude oil, supply potential appears adequate to meet projected domestic and export demand. However, crude oil supplies are unlikely to meet domestic requirements, and to the shortfall may be considerable.     

植物修复技术在铀矿山放射性铀污染治理中的潜在应用

植物修复技术用于治理环境中的放射性污染,具有成本低廉、易于实施和对环境扰动小等突出优点,是近年来国内外有关研究的热点。本文简单介绍了植物修复的原理,系统地介绍了环境中铀污染的植物修复及影响修复效率的因素。分析了该技术应用于铀矿山放射性铀污染治理的可行性。     

铀在土壤中的吸附动力学

以四川盆地红层丘陵区涪江河谷两岸广泛分布的第四系中更新统亚粘土为对象,用动态法测定了铀在该土壤中的平衡吸附量,为极低放废物的处置提供一些理论依据。研究了流速、土壤粒度及铀溶液初始浓度对土壤吸附铀的影响,并用常用的吸附动力学方程对实验数据进行了拟合。结果表明：土壤粒度小的平衡吸附量较大;流速越小、平衡吸附量越大;铀溶液的初始浓度越大,平衡吸附量越大;在用动力学方程拟合时,E lovich方程的拟合度最好;该土壤对铀的最大吸附率为61.1%,吸附性能较差。     

Values and the state in natural resource management: The Mt Wellington skyway dispute, Hobart, Tasmania

This article presents a study of land-use politics at the local level in Hobart, capital of the small island state of Tasmania. It is concerned with the politics of local place in the Mt Wellington Skyway cable car dispute and the tactics employed by the state government, in contravention of sustainability principles, to prioritise development over public concern for a local environment. The dispute is reviewed in terms of ideological contention, planning and decision making, and the role of the state in facilitating development. It is found to be characteristically Tasmanian in terms of state legislative support for the project and attitudes in the local community and local government polarised firmly against it. The management of the Mt Wellington Range itself is found to have been hindered by a history of non-decision making and neglect of intrinsic natural values, and the management of the Skyway approval process to have been expediently driven by utilitarian concerns. The article closely scrutinises the type of local environmental issue that Rainbow (1993) suggests has catalysed green politics at the state level in Tasmania. But more generally, it also presents a classic study of the ideological contention that continues to inspire natural resource conflict wherever communities face the degradation of local places defined by significant natural areas.     

RECENT COAL AND URANIUM INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS IN THE THIRD WORLD

The improvements made by developing countries in the 1970s in petroleum and mineral agreements with transnational corporations have been well documented, and substantial evidence exists to show that some real gains, in terms of host country control over operations, distribution of economic benefits, better employment and training requirements, etc., have in fact been made. In the case of the energy-related minerals, uranium and coal, however, relatively few contracts between Third World governments and transnational corporations have become public, and it is thus difficult to document whether the same gains made in the case of petroleum or non-fuel minerals have been achieved in relation to these energy resources. This article reviews a number of such recent coal and uranium agreements in developing countries. In overall terms, these agreements do not go as far in providing for the interests of host countries as do those negotiated for petroleum or hard minerals. The reasons for this apparent weakness in developing countries' bargaining power in the case of uranium and coal include the specific nature of the markets for these minerals, the structure of transnational corporations in the industry, and the very secrecy which has kept most of these contracts from public view. In the light of the relatively weak markets expected for export sales of coal and uranium through the remainder of the 1980s, it appears unlikey that developing countries can make significant advances in their negotiations to the extent of achieving terms which are more favourable than those contained in the best of the agreements reviewed in this article. It should, however, be possible for host governments to use the more favourable of the agreements reviewed here as standards for future negotiations. Une solide documentation existe sur les améliorations apportées par les pays en développement dans les années '70 dans le domaine des accords pétroliers et miniers avec les sociétés multinationales et il est maintenant bien etabli que des gains réels ont été acquis en ce qui concerne le contrôle des opérations par le pays hôte, la répartition des bénéfices, une meilleure utilisation de la main-d'oeuvre et les obligations de formation professionnelle. Cependant, dans le cas des minerais énergétiques uranium et charbon, relativement très peu de contrats intervenus entre les gouvernements du Tiers Monde et les sociétés multinationales sont tombés dans le domaine public de sorte qu'il est difficile d'établir si des gains semblables à ceux réalisés dans le cadre du pétrole et des minerais métalliques ont été obtenus. Cet article passe en revue certains des accords intervenus récemment dans les domaines du charbon et de l'uranium dans les pays en développement. En termes généraux, ces accords ne vont pas aussi loin dans la protection des intérêts des pays hôtes que ceux qui ont été négociés pour le pétrole et les minerais. La marge de manoeuvre des pays en développement dans le cadre des négociations d'accords portant sur le charbon et l'uranium est limitée en apparence du fait de la nature particulière des marchés de ces minerais, de la place qu'occupent les sociétés multinationales dans l'industrie minière et du caractère confidentiel qui entoure les transactions et les isole de la vue du grand public. Etant donné les tendances baissières des marchés du charbon et de l'uranium à l'exportation pour le reste de cette décennie, il semble peu probable que les pays en développement puissent réaliser des progrès sensibles dans leurs négociations pour atteindre des conditions plus favorables que celles qui figurent dans les meilleurs accords examinés dans cet article. Cependant, les pays hôtes devraient se prévaloir des accords qui leur sont les plus favorables parmi ceux qui sont passés en revue pour les utiliser comme base de leurs futures négociations et tout au moins pour éviter de signer des accords léonins. Los progresos alcanzados en la década del setenta por los países en desar-rollo en los acuerdos con las compañias transnacionales sobre el desarrollo del petróleo y de los minerales ha sido bien documentado y existe evidencia sustantiva de que ha habido ganancias reales en aspectos tales como control del país sobre las operaciones, distribución de beneficios económicos, mejores condiciones para el empleo y el entrenamiento, etc. Sin embargo, en el caso de minerales energéticos, tales como el uranio y el carbón, pocos contratos han sido hechos públicos y es difícil documentar si se tuvieron similares ganancias como en el caso de minerales no energéticos y petróleo. Este artículo pasa revista a un número de dichos contratos recientes sobre carbón y uranio. En términos generales estos contratos no son tan favorables a los países en desarrollo en comparación con los contratos para petróleo y minerales no energéticos. Las razones para esta aparente debilidad del poder de negociación en el caso del carbón y del uranio se debe, entre otras, a la naturaleza específica del mercado para estos minerales, la estruc-tura de las compañías transnacionales dentro de la indústria y el carácter secreto que ha tenido la mayoría de estos contratos con respecto al público en general. A la luz de la relativa debilidad del mercado para las exportaciones de carbón y uranio que se cree que imperará durante el resto de la década del ochenta, parece poco probable que los países en desarrollo puedan hacer avances significativos en sus negociaciones con el objeto de alcanzar términos que sean más favorables que los que se alcanzaron en el mejor de los contratos revisados en el presente artículo. Debería ser posible, sin embargo, que los gobiernos puedan usar como patrón para futuras negociaciones el contrato mas favorable revisado en este artículo y evitar la firma de acuerdos totalmente desfavorables al pais.