Warning of another string of mining bankruptcies in 2016

Cameco (TSX:CCO) (NYSE:CCJ) announced today it has reached the main mine workings with the second shaft at the Cigar Lake uranium mining project in northern Saskatchewan. Miners removed the final section of rock connecting shaft 2 with the mine workings 480 metres below surface on January 3, 2012. The second shaft will provide for increased ventilation of the underground workings as well as additional means of entering and exiting the mine. SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - Jan. 3, 2012) -

2011 will go down as the year when the wind fell out of the sails of economic recovery and serious storm clouds gathered on the horizon.

French nuclear giant Areva says it is in talks to sell its 26% stake in major nickel miner, Eramet (formerly Soc. Le Nickel) with major operations in New Caledoinia.

The Japanese tsunami and subsequent Fukishima nuclear accident in March challenged uranium market sentiment. A retrospective of expert commentary on this still-promising sector from the Energy Report.

Virginia voters are split like an atom on the issue of uranium mining as 43 percent say mining should be allowed because of economic benefits while 41 percent are opposed because of environmental concerns, according to Quinnipiac University poll release today.

A highly anticipated National Academy of Sciences report on uranium mining concluded Monday that Virginia must overcome "steep hurdles" before it can assure that a rich deposit of the radioactive ore can be safely extracted and processed.

First Uranium said it plans to lay off up to 1,850 employees at its Ezulwini Mine in South Africa.

If the uranium industry was hoping that China would be the tide that floats all boats, it will have to wait longer than expected.

Job seekers in the Australian mining and construction industry were likely to benefit from a favourable hiring climate in the first quarter of 2012, said recruitment solutions provider Manpower.