[cdn-nucl-l] Czech uranium mining to continue to 2003

["Franta, Jaroslav" <frantaj@aecl.ca>]

C A R O L I N A  No 394, Thursday, November 16, 2000
ECONOMY
Government Extends Uranium Mining

     The  government confirmed  November 8  that uranium  mining in  the
Czech  Republic  will  be  extended  till  2003. Trade Minister Miroslav
Gregr's proposal  to put off  the termination of  uranium mining by  two
years was successful. The proposal consists of exploiting the full yield
of the Rozna mine and setting the  winding-up date as late as January 1,
2004, said government speaker Libor Roucek.
     The  Environment  Ministry  criticized   the  plan  for  not  being
economical. According to the ministry,  the decision also contradicts an
agreement with the EU on ceasing the mining by the end of 2001.
     The state-owned  mining company Diamo  demanded that the  mining be
extended, because they have a five-year contract with the Czech Electric
Company (Ceske energeticke zavody, CEZ) on  the supply of uranium to the
Temelin and Dukovany nuclear power plants. Diamo is to cover CEZ's needs
fully until 2003;  it should supply 50 per  cent and 20 per cent  of the
uranium in the following years.

Past issues of Carolina are available at the address www.cuni.cz/carolina.