Canada unveils final anti-corruption law for the extractive sector

The vast Central Asian nation, larger than Western Europe, produces 33 percent of world’s mined uranium, followed by Canada at 18 percent and Australia, with 11 percent of global output. Kazakhstan contains the world's second-largest uranium reserves, estimated at 1.5 million tons. Until two years ago Kazakhstan was the world's No. 3 uranium miner.

A BBC poll enquiring about the public's appetite for nuclear power has delivered some surprising results. The poll by GlobeScan, commissioned for the BBC, asked 23,231 people in 23 countries with nuclear programs their opinions on nuclear power. It found that most are significantly more opposed to nuclear power than they were in 2005, with just 22% agreeing that "nuclear power is relatively safe and an important source of electricity, and we should build more nuclear power plants."

Mining Review reports the government of Tanzania has allayed fears over likely land disputes between uranium investors and local residents in the Ruvuma region of southern Tanzania, and is confident that the envisaged uranium project in the area will be operational late next year. The controversial uranium mine is located inside the Selous Game Reserve, Africa’s second-largest wildlife sanctuary and a Unesco heritage site. Australia’s Mantra Resources project in the southern part of the 54,600-square kilometre park is estimated to have 53.9 million pounds of uranium oxide deposits which is worth some $2.7bn at current market prices. Officials claim that mining would only involve about 1% of the park’s overall area and that income accrued from mining would help fund upkeep of the park, but environmentalists have slammed the plan.

Australia’s plan to impose a 30 percent tax on its booming iron ore and coal sectors cleared its biggest political hurdle on […]

Hathor Exploration's (TSE:HAT) board recommends that shareholders accept Rio Tinto's (LON:RIO) all-cash offer of Can$654 million. Rio Tinto increased its all-cash offer to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Hathor to $4.70 per share. The offer represents a premium to Cameco Corporation's previous offer of Can$4.50 per common share.

Australian legal firm Minter Ellison predicts that lifting the ban on Australian uranium exports could present significant opportunities for mining companies in Australia, as Indian and other foreign state-owned enterprises look for uranium exploration opportunities in that country. Mineweb quotes the firm's Energy and Resources partner Andrew Thompson: "This reversal comes as welcome news to Australian mining companies that are currently restricted by the policy. It will see an increase in uranium export markets, as well as opportunities for foreign direct investment and increased capital for Australian uranium projects. "Australian uranium explorers and producers would benefit from India's increasing use of nuclear energy, which is expected to grow from 3% to 40% of total domestic electricity consumption by 2050."

KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Nov. 17, 2011) - FISSION ENERGY CORP. (TSX VENTURE:FIS)(OTCQX:FSSIF) ("Fission" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated October 27, 2011, the Company has now completed the previously announced private placement of 11,800,000 flow-through common shares (the "Flow-Through Common Shares") at a price of $0.85 per Flow-Through Common Share for total gross proceeds of $10,030,000 (the "Private Placement"). The Private Placement was conducted on a bought deal basis by a syndicate of underwriters led by Dundee Securities Ltd. and including National Bank Financial Inc., Raymond James Ltd., Primary Capital Inc. and Versant Partners Inc. (the "Underwriters").

Yesterday's announcement by Australian PM Julia Gillard to consider lifting the ban on uranium sales to India is raising eyebrows at one of the country's largest iron ore producers. News.com.au reports Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG) chief executive Neville Power questioning whether the proposed sales would benefit BHP's Olympic Dam uranium mine in South Australia: "You would wonder," Power said yesterday at Fortescue's Port Headlands wharf in Western Australia.

Uranium Resources, a Texas-based in-situ uranium miner, says that cost increased in 3Q due to challenging drilling conditions and higher equipment costs. "This resulted in fewer than desired drilled holes and about two additional months of exploration time,” said Don Ewigleben, President and CEO of Uranium Resources in a statement. Operating expenses were $133,753 for 3Q compared with $67,260 in 2010. The overall loss from operations was $2,827,097, down from $3,730,998 a year ago when the company had a $1.37 million provision for a legal settlement.