India has found more than 93,000 tonnes of uranium resources in the past five years, said a government report on Thursday.&nbsp;
According to a written reply by Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh, the uranium was discovered underground in four states Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Karnataka between 2020 and December 2024.
Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest amount with 60,659 tonnes, followed by Jharkhand with 27,156 tonnes. Smaller chunks were reported in Rajasthan and Karnataka. Also Read : <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/worse-than-2008-crisis-mark-cuban-warns-of-deep-recession-fuelled-by-trump-era-tariffs-and-cuts-8931934">&lsquo;Worse than 2008 crisis&rsquo;: Mark Cuban warns of deep recession fuelled by Trump-era tariffs and cuts</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Discovery</h2>
The discoveries were made by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), which is the organisation responsible for locating atomic minerals across the country.
To use these resources, the government has given initial approval to 13 projects. These include setting up new uranium mines and processing plants, as well as expanding existing facilities.
Once completed, these projects are expected to produce about 11.5 million tonnes of uranium ore per year, and 1,095 tonnes of uranium oxide (U3O8) annually. U3O8 is used as fuel in nuclear power plants.
However, these projects are currently in the early stages. The government is working on getting approvals from central and state authorities. Funds will be released after final project plans are prepared and all clearances are granted. 
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-uses-artificial-glaciers-to-boost-water-supply-8934798">Pakistan uses artificial glaciers to boost water supply</a>
The Union Minister also confirmed the discovery of a new uranium deposit in Jharkhand&rsquo;s East Singhbhum district, in the Jaduguda North-Baglasai-Mechua area. This deposit is an extension of the Jaduguda uranium mine, one of the oldest in the country.
Officials say these new findings will help improve India&rsquo;s nuclear fuel supply and support the country&rsquo;s goal of generating clean energy through nuclear power, reducing the need for fuel imports.

These new findings will help improve India’s nuclear fuel supply and support the goal of generating clean energy through nuclear power, reducing imports.

India has found more than 93,000 tonnes of uranium resources in the past five years, said a government report on Thursday. According to a written reply by Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh, the uranium was discovered underground in four states Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Karnataka between 2020 and December 2024. Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest amount with 60,659 tonnes, followed by Jharkhand with 27,156 tonnes. Smaller chunks were reported in Rajasthan and Karnataka. Also Read : ‘Worse than 2008 crisis’: Mark Cuban warns of deep recession fuelled by Trump-era tariffs and cuts Discovery The discoveries were made by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), which is the organisation responsible for locating atomic minerals across the country. To use these resources, the government has given initial approval to 13 projects. These include setting up new uranium mines and processing plants, as well as expanding existing facilities. Once completed, these projects are expected to produce about 11.5 million tonnes of uranium ore per year, and 1,095 tonnes of uranium oxide (U3O8) annually. U3O8 is used as fuel in nuclear power plants. However, these projects are currently in the early stages. The government is working on getting approvals from central and state authorities. Funds will be released after final project plans are prepared and all clearances are granted. Also Read: Pakistan uses artificial glaciers to boost water supply The Union Minister also confirmed the discovery of a new uranium deposit in Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district, in the Jaduguda North-Baglasai-Mechua area. This deposit is an extension of the Jaduguda uranium mine, one of the oldest in the country. Officials say these new findings will help improve India’s nuclear fuel supply and support the country’s goal of generating clean energy through nuclear power, reducing the need for fuel imports.

India has discovered over 93,000 tonnes of uranium since 2020: Report

The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu has developed spin-off technologies that find applications in fields ranging from healthcare, defence, water management, agriculture among others. Director of the centre said that these spin-off technologies were ready to be transferred to start-ups and industries. The technologies were developed over the last decade.

According to the IGCAR, their major offerings for which Intent of MOU will be exchanged include Thermal Imaging technology for early detection of breast cancer, Autonomous Gamma Dose Logger (to measure radiation), Portable Air volume sampler (for pollution analysis) and Application of Ionising Radiations in Agriculture and Related areas to improve the shelf life of vegetables and fruits. The organization has said that the Intent of MOU will be exchanged for these technologies/products developed at IGCAR.

On Friday, KNVyas, Secretry, Department of Atomic Energy inaugurated a technology Incubation Centre at IGCAR, via the virtual mode. The Incubation center is meant to be catalytic in incubating technologies from IGCAR and also spin-off technologies from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and other units of DAE in the Southern Part of the country through appropriate handholding with entrepreneurs and MSMEs. 30th October 2020 also marks the 111th Birth Anniversary of Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the Father of the Indian Atomic Energy program.&nbsp;

A.K.Bhaduri, Director, IGCAR, spoke of some of the products their facility had developed, such as an explosive detector, narcotics detector, access control systems used for securing vital installations, greenhouse gas sensors and waste water management solutions among others. He emphasized that some of their offerings cost just 25 per cent of the imported ones.&nbsp;

The IGCAR signs up non-exclusive MoUs with interested parties, with a one-time technology transfer fee of Rs 5 lakh and there is also a provision of some share in the profits earned by the company.

When asked about the thermal imaging for detection fo breast cancer, IGCAR officials told Zee Media that they had developed a grading scale for a standard imaging device and that it was a portable system.&nbsp;

“By integrating three approaches, we have enhanced specificity and sensitivity. We have validated this product’s results with ultrasound and mammography in over 700 cases and it has 90% sensitivity. It is non-contact, non-harmful and not painful and can be used for detection in women below the age of 40(which is the usual age)” they said.

The Autonomous Gamma Dose Logger is a radiation monitor to measure environmental radiation in nuclear installations and other places, and it transmits data wirelessly. ICGAR says it is possible to have large deployments of these units including across rough terrains and it can be installed across borders to monitor movement of radioactive materials.

Portable Air volume sampler is a lightweight device made of fibre reinforced plastic, which is employed to collect airborne particulates in a filter paper. It can be used by pollution control boards for collecting suspended particulate matter in monitoring environmental pollution and in industries discharging particulate effluents.

ICGAR said that BARC has pioneered the application of radioisotopes and radiation technologies in agriculture, increasing the shelf life of agricultural products, food preservation and a host of other areas. The application cited was the use of radiation to significantly increase the shelf life of vegetables and other perishables.

The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu has developed spin-off technologies that find applications in fields ranging from healthcare, defence, water management, agriculture among others.

The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu has developed spin-off technologies that find applications in fields ranging from healthcare, defence, water management, agriculture among others. Director of the centre said that these spin-off technologies were ready to be transferred to start-ups and industries. The technologies were developed over the last decade. According to the IGCAR, their major offerings for which Intent of MOU will be exchanged include Thermal Imaging technology for early detection of breast cancer, Autonomous Gamma Dose Logger (to measure radiation), Portable Air volume sampler (for pollution analysis) and Application of Ionising Radiations in Agriculture and Related areas to improve the shelf life of vegetables and fruits. The organization has said that the Intent of MOU will be exchanged for these technologies/products developed at IGCAR. On Friday, KNVyas, Secretry, Department of Atomic Energy inaugurated a technology Incubation Centre at IGCAR, via the virtual mode. The Incubation center is meant to be catalytic in incubating technologies from IGCAR and also spin-off technologies from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and other units of DAE in the Southern Part of the country through appropriate handholding with entrepreneurs and MSMEs. 30th October 2020 also marks the 111th Birth Anniversary of Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the Father of the Indian Atomic Energy program. A.K.Bhaduri, Director, IGCAR, spoke of some of the products their facility had developed, such as an explosive detector, narcotics detector, access control systems used for securing vital installations, greenhouse gas sensors and waste water management solutions among others. He emphasized that some of their offerings cost just 25 per cent of the imported ones. The IGCAR signs up non-exclusive MoUs with interested parties, with a one-time technology transfer fee of Rs 5 lakh and there is also a provision of some share in the profits earned by the company. When asked about the thermal imaging for detection fo breast cancer, IGCAR officials told Zee Media that they had developed a grading scale for a standard imaging device and that it was a portable system. “By integrating three approaches, we have enhanced specificity and sensitivity. We have validated this product’s results with ultrasound and mammography in over 700 cases and it has 90% sensitivity. It is non-contact, non-harmful and not painful and can be used for detection in women below the age of 40(which is the usual age)” they said. The Autonomous Gamma Dose Logger is a radiation monitor to measure environmental radiation in nuclear installations and other places, and it transmits data wirelessly. ICGAR says it is possible to have large deployments of these units including across rough terrains and it can be installed across borders to monitor movement of radioactive materials. Portable Air volume sampler is a lightweight device made of fibre reinforced plastic, which is employed to collect airborne particulates in a filter paper. It can be used by pollution control boards for collecting suspended particulate matter in monitoring environmental pollution and in industries discharging particulate effluents. ICGAR said that BARC has pioneered the application of radioisotopes and radiation technologies in agriculture, increasing the shelf life of agricultural products, food preservation and a host of other areas. The application cited was the use of radiation to significantly increase the shelf life of vegetables and other perishables.

Atomic research facility IGCAR to transfer spin-off tech to start-ups, industries

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-president-rules-out-negotiations-with-us-at-unga-252069">Iran </a>has started using advanced models of centrifuges to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-has-capacity-to-raise-uranium-enrichment-beyond-20-iranian-nuclear-agency-spokesperson-248247">enrich uranium</a>, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said Thursday, in a new breach of the faltering 2015 deal with world powers.

Advanced centrifuges at Iran's Natanz facility "were accumulating, or had been prepared to accumulate, enriched uranium", the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a report seen.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-demands-united-states-pay-more-for-a-wider-deal-252151">Iran demands United States pay more for a 'wider deal'</a>

Under the 2015 deal with world powers that puts curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief, Tehran is only meant to enrich uranium using less efficient IR-1 centrifuges.

The landmark deal has been in jeopardy since May last year when President Donald Trump withdrew the US from it and reimposed sanctions.

The remaining parties to the deal with Iran — Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia — have tried to salvage the accord, but Tehran has repeatedly accused Europe of not doing enough.

Iran has started using advanced models of centrifuges to enrich uranium, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said Thursday, in a new breach of the faltering 2015 deal with world powers.

Iran has started using advanced models of centrifuges to enrich uranium, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said Thursday, in a new breach of the faltering 2015 deal with world powers. Advanced centrifuges at Iran's Natanz facility "were accumulating, or had been prepared to accumulate, enriched uranium", the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a report seen. Also read: Iran demands United States pay more for a 'wider deal' Under the 2015 deal with world powers that puts curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief, Tehran is only meant to enrich uranium using less efficient IR-1 centrifuges. The landmark deal has been in jeopardy since May last year when President Donald Trump withdrew the US from it and reimposed sanctions. The remaining parties to the deal with Iran — Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia — have tried to salvage the accord, but Tehran has repeatedly accused Europe of not doing enough.

Iran uses advanced centrifuges in new nuclear deal breach: IAEA

French major EDF, which has got the contract for building reactors for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, has said India will have to provide a sovereign guarantee to two other state-run firms of France for providing financial assistance for the project.

The EDF, which will construct the country's largest nuclear power park comprising six atomic power reactors of 1,650-MW each in coastal Maharashtra, had submitted a techno-commercial offer to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) in December last year.

The NPCIL, a PSU under the Department of Atomic Energy, operates over 20 nuclear reactors in the country.&nbsp;

India is yet to respond to the techno-commercial offer, sources said.

Replying to a question on the financial aspect of the project, Vakis Ramany, Senior Vice President at EDF, in an e-mail interview to PTI, said the total cost of the project is "confidential and may not be disclosed" at this stage.

He said EDF would only act as the EPR technology provider and not be an investor itself but would facilitate financing discussions as much as possible.

"Capital contributions from NPCIL and lenders will secure financing. Under a French government export, credit scheme supported by two well-established French financial institutions, namely BPI France and SFIL, lenders and banks will provide a significant portion of the required loans. A sovereign guarantee from the Government of India should secure the whole package," Ramany said.

Both BPI France and SFIL are French government-owned financial institutions.&nbsp;

The loan is a major component of EDF and NPCIL negotiations. It will have an impact on the pricing of the project and tariff for the electricity generated from the plant.

Incidentally, while negotiating the Rafale fighter jet deal, France had given a 'Letter of Comfort' to India instead of sovereign guarantee, a move that was criticised by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India while auditing the aircraft deal.

Ramany also declined to divulge the tariff per unit. According to the initial negotiations carried out by Areva, which was later taken over by EDF, India is looking at a tariff of Rs 6.50 per/unit when the plant starts generating electricity.&nbsp;

"Our pricing assumptions are of a commercially confidential nature. The offer is currently under review. It would be premature at this stage to provide numbers. Our focus is to make sure that electricity generated remains competitive over decades," he said.&nbsp;

The six EPRs will be able to produce more than 75 terawatt (TWh) per year which is enough energy to power 70 million Indian households based on current energy consumption, he claimed.&nbsp;

In response to the concerns over clauses under the Civil Liability Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act 2010, often cited as very stringent by foreign nuclear companies, Ramany said India should offer a level of protection equivalent to that in other countries.

"In 2016 India signed the international convention on nuclear civil liability, referred to as CSC. This has improved EDF's ability to define suitable contractual terms and gave confidence in carrying out discussions.&nbsp;

"Considering the way we operate in other countries, we need a liability regime that offers a level of protection equivalent to that in other countries. We are in a constructive process with the Indian administration," he said.

One of the reasons behind the delay in signing the General Framework Agreement (GFA) was non-completion of Flamanville 3 reactor in France, which has been the reference plant for the Jaitapur project.

Without an operating reference plant, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), the nuclear power watchdog in the country, will not give go-ahead to the project.

"Flamanville 3 is currently in the testing phase that will lead to the fuel loading in the fourth quarter of this year," he said.

The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant was envisaged under the Indo-French nuclear deal signed in 2008.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

French major EDF, which has got the contract for building reactors for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, has said India will have to provide a sovereign guarantee to two other state-run firms of France for providing financial assistance for the project.

French major EDF, which has got the contract for building reactors for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, has said India will have to provide a sovereign guarantee to two other state-run firms of France for providing financial assistance for the project. The EDF, which will construct the country's largest nuclear power park comprising six atomic power reactors of 1,650-MW each in coastal Maharashtra, had submitted a techno-commercial offer to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) in December last year. The NPCIL, a PSU under the Department of Atomic Energy, operates over 20 nuclear reactors in the country. India is yet to respond to the techno-commercial offer, sources said. Replying to a question on the financial aspect of the project, Vakis Ramany, Senior Vice President at EDF, in an e-mail interview to PTI, said the total cost of the project is "confidential and may not be disclosed" at this stage. He said EDF would only act as the EPR technology provider and not be an investor itself but would facilitate financing discussions as much as possible. "Capital contributions from NPCIL and lenders will secure financing. Under a French government export, credit scheme supported by two well-established French financial institutions, namely BPI France and SFIL, lenders and banks will provide a significant portion of the required loans. A sovereign guarantee from the Government of India should secure the whole package," Ramany said. Both BPI France and SFIL are French government-owned financial institutions. The loan is a major component of EDF and NPCIL negotiations. It will have an impact on the pricing of the project and tariff for the electricity generated from the plant. Incidentally, while negotiating the Rafale fighter jet deal, France had given a 'Letter of Comfort' to India instead of sovereign guarantee, a move that was criticised by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India while auditing the aircraft deal. Ramany also declined to divulge the tariff per unit. According to the initial negotiations carried out by Areva, which was later taken over by EDF, India is looking at a tariff of Rs 6.50 per/unit when the plant starts generating electricity. "Our pricing assumptions are of a commercially confidential nature. The offer is currently under review. It would be premature at this stage to provide numbers. Our focus is to make sure that electricity generated remains competitive over decades," he said. The six EPRs will be able to produce more than 75 terawatt (TWh) per year which is enough energy to power 70 million Indian households based on current energy consumption, he claimed. In response to the concerns over clauses under the Civil Liability Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act 2010, often cited as very stringent by foreign nuclear companies, Ramany said India should offer a level of protection equivalent to that in other countries. "In 2016 India signed the international convention on nuclear civil liability, referred to as CSC. This has improved EDF's ability to define suitable contractual terms and gave confidence in carrying out discussions. "Considering the way we operate in other countries, we need a liability regime that offers a level of protection equivalent to that in other countries. We are in a constructive process with the Indian administration," he said. One of the reasons behind the delay in signing the General Framework Agreement (GFA) was non-completion of Flamanville 3 reactor in France, which has been the reference plant for the Jaitapur project. Without an operating reference plant, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), the nuclear power watchdog in the country, will not give go-ahead to the project. "Flamanville 3 is currently in the testing phase that will lead to the fuel loading in the fourth quarter of this year," he said. The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant was envisaged under the Indo-French nuclear deal signed in 2008.

Sovereign guarantee from India needed for financial assistance to Jaitapur nuclear power plant: EDF

Pakistan&#39;s fourth nuclear power plant went online Wednesday, a joint collaboration with China that adds 340 megawatts to the national grid as part of the government&#39;s efforts to end a growth-sapping energy deficit.

Pakistan is one of the few developing countries pursuing atomic energy in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011, as it seeks to close an electricity shortfall that can stretch up to 7,000 MW in peak summer months, or around 32 per cent of total demand.

The Chashma-III reactor, located some 250 kilometres (155 miles) southwest of capital Islamabad, is the third built as part of a collaboration between the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

The country&#39;s first nuclear plant was supplied by Canada in 1972, with an installed capacity of 137 MW.

&quot;Today we have crossed an important milestone in the journey to free the nation from scheduled power cuts. I am thankful to Allah and congratulate the entire nation,&quot; Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told an inaugural ceremony attended by Chinese and Pakistani officials.

He added a fourth Chashma plant was expected to be commissioned by April 2017. Two more reactors would follow at an unspecified date in central Pakistan, as well as two giant 2,200 MW power stations in southern Karachi.

Islamabad is aiming to produce 8,800 MW from atomic energy by 2030.

Pakistan has been struggling to provide enough power to its nearly 200 million citizens for years, and Sharif has vowed to solve the crisis by 2018.

The energy sector has traditionally struggled to cover the cost of producing electricity, leading the government to divert $2 billion annually as a subsidy, according to a recent report commissioned by the British government.

China meanwhile is ramping up investment in its South Asian neighbour as part of a $46 billion project unveiled last year that will link its far-western Xinjiang region to Pakistan&#39;s Gwadar port with a series of infrastructure, power and transport upgrades.

Last week Pakistan&#39;s main bourse announced that a Chinese consortium was set to acquire a 40 per cent stake in the stock exchange in a deal estimated at $84 million.

Shanghai Electric announced in August it would buy a majority stake in the utility that supplies energy to Karachi for $1.7 billion, in the country&#39;s biggest ever private-sector acquisition.

(AFP)

The collaboration with China is part of the government's efforts to end a growth-sapping energy deficit

Pakistan's fourth nuclear power plant went online Wednesday, a joint collaboration with China that adds 340 megawatts to the national grid as part of the government's efforts to end a growth-sapping energy deficit. Pakistan is one of the few developing countries pursuing atomic energy in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011, as it seeks to close an electricity shortfall that can stretch up to 7,000 MW in peak summer months, or around 32 per cent of total demand. The Chashma-III reactor, located some 250 kilometres (155 miles) southwest of capital Islamabad, is the third built as part of a collaboration between the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The country's first nuclear plant was supplied by Canada in 1972, with an installed capacity of 137 MW. "Today we have crossed an important milestone in the journey to free the nation from scheduled power cuts. I am thankful to Allah and congratulate the entire nation," Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told an inaugural ceremony attended by Chinese and Pakistani officials. He added a fourth Chashma plant was expected to be commissioned by April 2017. Two more reactors would follow at an unspecified date in central Pakistan, as well as two giant 2,200 MW power stations in southern Karachi. Islamabad is aiming to produce 8,800 MW from atomic energy by 2030. Pakistan has been struggling to provide enough power to its nearly 200 million citizens for years, and Sharif has vowed to solve the crisis by 2018. The energy sector has traditionally struggled to cover the cost of producing electricity, leading the government to divert $2 billion annually as a subsidy, according to a recent report commissioned by the British government. China meanwhile is ramping up investment in its South Asian neighbour as part of a $46 billion project unveiled last year that will link its far-western Xinjiang region to Pakistan's Gwadar port with a series of infrastructure, power and transport upgrades. Last week Pakistan's main bourse announced that a Chinese consortium was set to acquire a 40 per cent stake in the stock exchange in a deal estimated at $84 million. Shanghai Electric announced in August it would buy a majority stake in the utility that supplies energy to Karachi for $1.7 billion, in the country's biggest ever private-sector acquisition. (AFP)

Pakistan turns on fourth nuclear plant built with China's help

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