Students’ blockade against uranium mining turns violent

October 14th, 2009 SHILLONG - The influential Khasi Students Union (KSU) has announced a two-night road blockade in Meghalaya beginning Wednesday to protest a proposed uranium mining project in the state. The road blockade would affect vehicular movement, specially night passenger buses and goods laden trucks, on the national highways between Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.

September 30th, 2009 SHILLONG - The Meghalaya government has decided to lease out 422 hectares of land in the West Khasi Hills region for 30 years to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) for pre-project developmental works, a step which is agitating a number of locals. According to locals, Meghalaya's environment has been destroyed by the through unscientific mining of coal, limestone and other natural resources.

September 30th, 2009 Venezuela exploring uranium deposits with RussiaPORLAMAR, Venezuela — Venezuela's science and technology minister said his country is working with Russia to detect deposits of uranium but withdrew an earlier denial that the country was also working with Iran. Jesse Chacon originally denied the reports that Venezuela is receiving support from Iran to seek uranium, but clarified later Saturday that his comments were only in regard to Russia and that exploration efforts with Iran fall under the direction of Venezuela's Mining Ministry.

September 10th, 2009 BHUBANESWAR - A blockade of a national highway in Orissa's mineral rich Sundergarh district by villagers demanding the release of 30 people arrested as suspected Maoists was called off Thursday evening after the authorities assured that the agitators' demand will be looked into, police said. The national highway number 23 was blocked Tuesday by hundreds of people, mostly tribals, demanding the release of 30 residents arrested Aug 29.

September 9th, 2009 PANAJI - Mining in Goa's hinterland is eating into the state's cashew production, growers of the nut say. "Some of the best plantations in north and south Goa are being destroyed by mining activities," said Goa Cashew Manufacturers Association president Madhav Sahakari here Wednesday.

September 9th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Demanding restoration of the students' union polls in the Allahabad University, some students went on a rampage, attacking public transport and clashing with police, officials said. Police assaulted students with batons as they tried to enter the vice-chancellor's office on the varsity campus.

August 14th, 2009 Policy requires proven Grand Canyon mine claimsFLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The reclassification of nearly 1 million acres of land around the Grand Canyon to prevent new mining claims comes with a fundamental change in how the U.S.

August 1st, 2009 Groups want US to reconsider Utah uranimum mineSALT LAKE CITY — Two environmental groups have asked federal land managers to reconsider their approval of Utah's first new uranium mine in three decades. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and Uranium Watch oppose the Daneros Mine, located about 120 miles from Natural Bridges National Monument in southeastern Utah.

July 21st, 2009 Water experts: Mining near Grand Canyon is riskyWASHINGTON — Uranium mining near the Grand Canyon would court disaster, risking damage to critical water supplies, local officials and water experts told a House panel Tuesday. A hyrdologist who has been conducting research on springs in the canyon for 25 years told the House Natural Resources Committee's parks subcommittee that past mining polluted a stream that feeds the Colorado River, and that more pollution is likely should mining resume.

July 20th, 2009 Interior halting uranium mining at Grand CanyonFLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Thousands of mining claims dot 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon, and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says his department has a responsibility to ensure those resources are developed in a way that protects communities, treasured landscapes and watersheds.

July 17th, 2009 Navajos mark 30th anniversary of uranium spillCHURCH ROCK, N.M. — The leader of the Navajo Nation marked the 30th anniversary of a massive uranium tailings spill by reaffirming the tribe's ban on future uranium mining.

June 30th, 2009 Activist: Israeli navy turns back Gaza aid boatGAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Israeli navy ordered a small ferry carrying medical supplies and foreign peace activists trying to break a blockade of Gaza to turn back, a spokesman for the group said Tuesday. The Israeli military would not confirm or deny the report.

June 17th, 2009 Diamond-rich Namibia hit by global slumpWINDHOEK, Namibia — Namibia's central bank governor said Wednesday the diamond-rich southern African nation's economy will shrink by 0.6 percent in 2009 as mining slows in the global economic crisis. Diamond production will fall by 40 percent to 800,000 carat this year, Bank of Namibia governor Tom Alweendo said.

March 24th, 2009 PANAJI - The Goa government will phase out 14 operational mining leases located near the catchment area of the Selaulim dam, which supplies water to nearly 500,000 people, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said here Monday. 'All these 14 mining leases will be phased out in the next two or three years because of their proximity to the reservoir,' Kamat told the state assembly.

January 5th, 2009 SHILLONG - India's nuclear power plants have been working at about half their capacity due to shortage of nuclear fuel despite the efforts of the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to tap indigenous uranium deposits. The power plants are facing shortage of uranium supply due to the slow process of opening up of new uranium mines.