Uranium threat to Italy

Uranium threat to Italy

21st September 2006

Mining companies are turning increasingly to Africa and parts of Latin America to grab new uranium resources. But European communities are under threat too, as the market price soars.

Contrary to popular belief the continent has many uranium deposits but, to date, commercial and military exploitation has taken place in only a few regions: notably the ex-USSR, France, East Germany. The recent boom is affecting Kazakhstan in particular ( now the world's third largest supplier through state-owned Kazatomprom) - and now northern Italy.