Illegal Uranium Mining in Congo, UN Wants Answers

zenith-nadir · 25th March 2004, 01:23 PM

From: Thu Mar 25, 2004 Reuters

Quote:

SHINKOLOBWE, Congo (Reuters) - A mine in Congo that provided uranium for the first atomic bombs is being illegally quarried and the potentially dangerous raw material exported without control, industry experts say.

Thousands of self-employed miners are pounding away at rocks and descending into makeshift shafts at Shinkolobwe, one of mineral-rich Congo's largest and oldest mines in the southeastern province of Katanga.

The miners are digging up cobalt and copper compounds, in high demand on the world market, but the amalgamates contain significant traces of uranium, which can be processed into nuclear material in the hands of expert scientists.

"They are inadvertently exporting raw uranium, which could find its way into the hands of countries that are capable of using it," said John Skinner, General Manager of Swanepoel Enterprises, a South African farming and contract mining company that has been based in nearby Likasi since the 1930s.

"The uranium from Shinkolobwe is mostly uranium-238, and therefore not immediately fissionable," says Professor Fortunat Lumu, Atomic Energy General Officer at Congo's Ministry of Scientific Research in the capital Kinshasa.

Er...ahh...mmmm...well if it's good enough for Professor Fortunat Lumu...it's good enough for me!

corplinx · 25th March 2004, 01:28 PM

I thought the mine was being guarded by intelligent and ferocious apes.

zenith-nadir · 25th March 2004, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by corplinx
I thought the mine was being guarded by intelligent and ferocious apes.

They're not ferocious...they're lovers!

25th March 2004, 01:23 PM	#1
zenith-nadir Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,500	Illegal Uranium Mining in Congo, UN Wants Answers From: Thu Mar 25, 2004 Reuters Quote: SHINKOLOBWE, Congo (Reuters) - A mine in Congo that provided uranium for the first atomic bombs is being illegally quarried and the potentially dangerous raw material exported without control, industry experts say. Thousands of self-employed miners are pounding away at rocks and descending into makeshift shafts at Shinkolobwe, one of mineral-rich Congo's largest and oldest mines in the southeastern province of Katanga. The miners are digging up cobalt and copper compounds, in high demand on the world market, but the amalgamates contain significant traces of uranium, which can be processed into nuclear material in the hands of expert scientists. "They are inadvertently exporting raw uranium, which could find its way into the hands of countries that are capable of using it," said John Skinner, General Manager of Swanepoel Enterprises, a South African farming and contract mining company that has been based in nearby Likasi since the 1930s. "The uranium from Shinkolobwe is mostly uranium-238, and therefore not immediately fissionable," says Professor Fortunat Lumu, Atomic Energy General Officer at Congo's Ministry of Scientific Research in the capital Kinshasa. Er...ahh...mmmm...well if it's good enough for Professor Fortunat Lumu...it's good enough for me!
	__________________ The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled. -- Plutarch

25th March 2004, 01:28 PM	#2
corplinx JREF Kid Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8,944	I thought the mine was being guarded by intelligent and ferocious apes.
corplinx JREF Kid Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8,944	__________________ In the tradition of "Stop Silvia!" Stop Hal Bidlack: http://skepticalcommunity.com/forums...hp?f=1&t=28671

25th March 2004, 01:34 PM	#3
zenith-nadir Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,500	Quote: Originally posted by corplinx I thought the mine was being guarded by intelligent and ferocious apes. They're not ferocious...they're lovers!
	__________________ The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled. -- Plutarch