India nuclear news and discussion

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 18 Feb 2009 06:10

On global nonproliferation, the US should push for a role for India in next year's Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference in order to complete the country's transformation from being part of the problem to being part of the solution

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 18 Feb 2009 06:12

Tons of Radioactive Material From India Found in Germany

It said the most serious case was five tons of stainless steel wool which had to be disposed of by a nuclear-waste company, GNS. The contamination was thought to be the result of the radioactive isotope cobalt 60, which is used in nuclear medicine, being inadvertently mixed with steel scrap and being melted down at three Indian steel works.

Arun_S · Post by **Arun_S** » 18 Feb 2009 06:44

ramana wrote:So nuke deal was bogus. There are no plans to buy anything at all?

Not only nuclear deal bogus but MMS continues to show his real colors by consistently reducing Rupee budget for Indian Nuclear Programm. Considering inflation rate, the actual budget has shrunk significantly.

But the outlay for atomic energy that covers key nuclear research centres and other institutions has reduced from last year’s revised estimate of Rs 4,964 crore to Rs 4,835 crore for 2009-10.

Best method to kill a ferocious dog is starving it and making sure it leaves no progeny.

MMS continues to entomb Indian Nuclear Weapons Program. While his statement on floor of Sansad were to continue to fund and build indigenous nuclear capability. His actions have been consistently opposite to his spoken words. "Muh Main Raam, Bagal Main Chooree"

I guess when anyone mentions to MMS 'Indian Nuclear Program', he replies with 'Raam Naam Satya Hai'

India gets what it deserves.

Shivani · Post by **Shivani** » 20 Feb 2009 10:08

How Long Before Uranium Shortages?

The Oil Drum wrote:
Figure 5. EWG World Production vs Demand

The Oil Drum wrote:Adding new mines takes a long time--one often sees 8 to 10 years quoted as a reasonable time frame. Production in 2007 was only 41,000 metric tons, so increasing production by 30,000 metric tons would represent a 73% increase. This doesn't seem to be happening.

The Oil Drum wrote:What does seem to be happening is a grab for available mines by countries like China and Japan. These countries will be needing fuel for nuclear reactors and cannot see good long-term sources of supply. For example, Ranger is the second largest mine in the world, representing 11% of 2007 world production. The Japanaese are trying to get a controlling interest in Ranger and in other mines, according to Japan: Securing Uranium Supply.

China has also been trying to invest in mines. It has been having discussions with BHP Billiton, operator of Olympic Dam in Australia.

The Oil Drum wrote:The US is very dependent on foreign imports, as shown in Figure 7, especially recycled Russian bomb material, which currently makes up 50% of nuclear fuel. Since about 20% of US electricity is from uranium, this means that 10% of our electricity supply is obtained from recycled Russian bombs. Most of the remainder of our nuclear electric supply is from other overseas sources. With current world financial problems, one wonders how secure these sources are. Also, we will need to find additional sources when the Russian bomb contract runs out it 2013.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 20 Feb 2009 23:35

Russia to export nuclear material to India with IAEA safeguards

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree amending the 1992 nuclear export control regulations.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 21 Feb 2009 02:26

No crisis, enough nuke fuel for 40 years: CAG

Arun_S · Post by **Arun_S** » 21 Feb 2009 05:59

Now that CAG has put this in black and white can we have Anil Kakodkar and MMS put on trial for Cr.Procedure 420 and pushing treasonous nuclear deal with USA?.

Gerard wrote:No crisis, enough nuke fuel for 40 years: CAG

21 Feb 2009, 0106 hrs IST, Pradeep Thakur , TNN
NEW DELHI: In what could trigger a fresh war of words between the government and the Left parties, an independent official survey on the
country's estimated uranium reserves has revealed that the nuclear fuel stocks are enough to meet India's fuel supply for the next 40 years.

An audit on the management of fuel for Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) — conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General in light of reports of serious fuel crisis — has revealed that India has enough uranium reserves which were left unexplored due to "significant deficiencies in the strategic planning" by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

The report says that as of September 2007 {and MMS Govt made this public to Indian citizens only after Nuclear deal was passed by Parliament}, the estimated uranium reserves were about 1,07,268 tonnes {Snake oil seller lead by M/S MMS and Kakodkar were selling to gullible Indian janata Indian reserve of 62,000 tonnes, with slay of hand keeping 40,000 tonnes uranium reserve away from Indian citizens) } while the fuel requirement of the 10,000 MWe PHWR programme, as planned by DAE till 2020, required around 1,01,600 tonnes for the entire lifespan of 40 years of these plants.

The report has pulled up authorities in DAE for their laxity in exploring identified mineral blocks. Most of these identified uranium blocks were left unexplored despite being handed over to the department concerned for mining 10 to 38 years ago, says the CAG report which was tabled in Parliament on Friday.

The CAG findings, incidentally, are on the lines of what the Left parties had been arguing all along in their opposition to the Indo-US nuclear deal.

CPM general secretary Prakash Karat had in his objection to the nuke deal alleged that the nuclear fuel crisis as projected by the UPA government was artificial and deliberately done to enter into a pact with the US.

The Left leaders had then sought explanation on the initial plan of the DAE's programme for generating 10,000 MWe with indigenous fuel supply and what led to the shortage when the country was still producing below 5,000 MW.

The CAG review has delved deep into the cause and found that mines in Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka at Domiasiat, Lambapur and Gogi respectively, had better grade deposits and were expected to deliver significant quantity of yellow cake per annum. However, there were "significant delays in opening of these mines which had adversely affected the timely supply of nuclear fuel to the PHWRs".

"Due to constraints in fuel supplies, the average capacity factors of nuclear plants were consistently brought down to 50% during 2003-08. The denial of the plants running at full capacity resulted in an estimated loss of about Rs 6,000 crore," the report says.

Indian janata has short memories. Indian people get what they deserve.
After all donkeys will be donkeys and will always be mounted by more intelligent/crooked creatures

.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 21 Feb 2009 08:16

I am not sure what to sya, but a nation whose citizens can be employed by GM, Ford and Caterpillar to design leading edge engines cannot produce an engine for an Indian tank ........... All strategic assets are up for sale.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 21 Feb 2009 17:46

Most of these identified uranium blocks were left unexplored despite being handed over to the department concerned for mining 10 to 38 years ago

Why spend money on exploration of these blocks when the explored blocks remain closed to mining? There are no "delays" here. There is simply no mining. The GOI has capitulated to the NGOs. There could be a billion tons of reserves in India; it would make no difference. Imports would still be needed because mining has become impossible and the new reactors need additional fuel. The DAE has only to begin sampling and suddenly two headed babies are being born in the areas being prospected and locals are up in arms. The CAG, as always, submits reports that ignore reality. Maybe these CAG pencil pushers could draw some imaginary reactors that are 100% superior to the ones designed by the DAE. They can draw the imaginary mines that will provide the imaginary fuel for these imaginary reactors.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 21 Feb 2009 20:33

India to join WINS for nuclear security

India is proposing to join the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) for sharing information on how to safeguard its nuclear installations.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 22 Feb 2009 17:49

Nuclear agenda draws scrutiny

Others are warning that reducing the overall number of US and Russian nuclear weapons from several thousand to hundreds - the initial goal of Perry, Nunn, Shultz, and Kissinger - could motivate states with smaller arsenals, such as China, India, and Pakistan, to seek parity, thus increasing the danger of nuclear confrontation.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 22 Feb 2009 17:51

Capacity of PHWRs declines

DAE misled Cabinet on approval of four new reactors

“Cabinet clearance for Kaiga 3&4 in Karnataka and RAPS 5&6 was taken despite the knowledge that these reactors would suffer for want of fuel and without adequately highlighting the shortage of fuel for these reactors in Cabinet notes which led to the sanction,’’ CAG noted in its 42-page report. In spite of knowledge of an impending shortage of uranium fuel, DAE went ahead and sought approval for four new PHWRs at a cost of Rs 6,354 crore, the auditors noted.

CAG report blames atomic energy dept

The DAE reply is that at the time of planning Kaiga-3 & 4, uranium availability was not a constraint and Domiasiat mine in Meghalaya was in the pipeline. That’s why the DAE thought it was prudent to replicate Kaiga-1 & 2. However, sources said DAE knew about Domiasiat problems all the time and still sought Kaiga-3 & 4 approvals citing the Meghalaya mines.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 22 Feb 2009 23:59

India can be largest supplier of tritium: Kakodkar

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 23 Feb 2009 01:17

Compliance Audit - Report No. 3 of 2008 - Department of Atomic Energy
http://www.cag.gov.in/html/reports/civi ... chap_2.pdf

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 23 Feb 2009 01:31

DAE pulled up for nuclear fuel shortage

The DAE, in its response said the CAG’s observations amounted to a “theoretical exercise that can lead to misleading conclusions” and pointed out that plants were being operated at lower levels to conserve fuel. While nuclear reactors were being constructed largely on schedule, the development of uranium mines got delayed primarily due to external factors. The DAE was trying its best to open new mines despite hurdles such as law and order issues and environmental clearances.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 23 Feb 2009 03:44

Prepare For Cut-off

The five official nuclear powers may well soon agree on an FMCT, particularly if the new Barack Obama administration drops US objections to verification. If that happens, India, recently anointed a "responsible member" of the nuclear community by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, may come under pressure to join the ban. Hopefully, the government is preparing to meet that eventuality by making hard quantitative estimates of its strategic requirements and tailoring its FM production accordingly.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 24 Feb 2009 03:17

India Targets 6,000-MW of Nuclear Power in 2009

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 24 Feb 2009 03:23

Uranium exploration in a mess

ShauryaT · Post by **ShauryaT** » 24 Feb 2009 09:35

Gerard wrote:Prepare For Cut-off
The five official nuclear powers may well soon agree on an FMCT, particularly if the new Barack Obama administration drops US objections to verification. If that happens, India, recently anointed a "responsible member" of the nuclear community by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, may come under pressure to join the ban. Hopefully, the government is preparing to meet that eventuality by making hard quantitative estimates of its strategic requirements and tailoring its FM production accordingly.

Phase II, the quantitative FMCT cap begins. Phase I, IUNCA achieved the qualitative cap.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 24 Feb 2009 18:15

India’s Nuclear “Explosion” a Cash Generator for Global Energy

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 24 Feb 2009 18:23

Thorium Moves Into India

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 24 Feb 2009 18:24

Homi Bhabha, a visionary scientist and a great human being

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 26 Feb 2009 04:11

Import nuclear bombs with ease ...through Indian ports

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 26 Feb 2009 04:30

Did Bhabha accelerate China’s nuclear ambitions?

Prabu · Post by **Prabu** » 27 Feb 2009 00:05

Gerard wrote:
Most of these identified uranium blocks were left unexplored despite being handed over to the department concerned for mining 10 to 38 years ago
Why spend money on exploration of these blocks when the explored blocks remain closed to mining? There are no "delays" here. There is simply no mining. The GOI has capitulated to the NGOs. There could be a billion tons of reserves in India; it would make no difference. Imports would still be needed because mining has become impossible and the new reactors need additional fuel. The DAE has only to begin sampling and suddenly two headed babies are being born in the areas being prospected and locals are up in arms. The CAG, as always, submits reports that ignore reality. Maybe these CAG pencil pushers could draw some imaginary reactors that are 100% superior to the ones designed by the DAE. They can draw the imaginary mines that will provide the imaginary fuel for these imaginary reactors.

Gerald Guru ! With due respect to you I beg to differ ! Consider following questions ! Though the nuke deal has opened up, just the possibilities of exposure to new technologies !

1) I would rather ask, "who is responsible for NO MINING sirtuation ?"
2) Who is controlling and funding NGO's ? What are their western connections ?
3) If there are Genuine concerns of the locals & public who's responsibility to suitably address and compensate and move ahead ?
4) Who is responsible for boosted shortage

DAE just can NOT pass the buck ! And GOI is equally responsible for this. Where is the startegic Vision with GOI/DAE ALL THESE YEARS ??
We can buy yellow cake now for the short term, also some defense purchases but SWADESI is the key for long term energy security and protection of long term Indian strategic goals/Interests.

Just my 2 cents !

Hiten · Post by **Hiten** » 27 Feb 2009 00:58

Could it be possible that the DAE deliberately chose to show a shortarge of Uranium in order to ensure that by signing the N-deal we would then be be able to procure fuel for our civillian reactors from outside

This would leave our own nuclear reserves solely for pursuing N-weapon developments

Afterall we still retained our rights to develop N-weapons after having segregated our civillian and defence n-facilties

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 27 Feb 2009 02:05

DAE just can NOT pass the buck ! And GOI is equally responsible for this. Where is the startegic Vision with GOI/DAE ALL THESE YEARS ??

But DAE is not responsible for State governments refusing to allow mining and for the Union government refusing to enforce its own Atomic energy act and seizing the land. Everybody in India gets a veto and the western funded NGOs have exploited this to put a brake on mining.

The DAE has dug a few shallow prospecting holes in Domiasat and there are claims of health problems. From a few covered holes in the ground! With no mining at all having taken place.

DAE is no match for the NGOs. Can the Mumbai government get Dharavi redeveloped? Can dams get built? Can anyone build a car plant in Bengal? Why should DAE be blamed for a political problem? Only politicians can solve political problems.

Should DAE have put a brake on reactor construction until the present shortage is resolved by mining capacity expansion? What effect would that have had on the NSG deliberations if it were known? Is it better to build the additional reactors and operate them at 30% capacity for a few years or to delay construction for a few years?

BTW a PDF posted here a couple years ago by Arun_S had an estimation of the Uranium mined, showing a mismatch between that mined and that needed for high burnup for power. It suggested that a significant quantity of Uranium has been used for low burnup (for strategic purposes).

vsudhir · Post by **vsudhir** » 27 Feb 2009 06:54

Is there no Uranium in Gujrat?

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 27 Feb 2009 07:04

See
http://www.dae.gov.in/amd/work/u_map3.htm

and
http://www.dae.gov.in/amd/work/uranium.htm

Arun_S · Post by **Arun_S** » 27 Feb 2009 10:49

Hiten wrote:Could it be possible that the DAE deliberately chose to show a shortarge of Uranium in order to ensure that by signing the N-deal we would then be be able to procure fuel for our civillian reactors from outside

This would leave our own nuclear reserves solely for pursuing N-weapon developments

Wrong.
Pls see http://www.indiaresearch.org/indous.html and read this article "Impact of Indo-US Agreement on Indian Strategic Weapon program: Arun Sharma"

Impact of Indo-US Agreement on Indian Strategic Weapon program:
Will it make available more indigenous Uranium reserve for Indian Weapons Program?

Introduction
On July-18,2005 President Bush and Prime Minister Singh in a major breakthrough announced an agreement on ‘Global Strategic Partnership’ involving many sub-agreements, including civil nuclear energy cooperation, whose details were further agreed on March 2, 2006. The civil nuclear power cooperation envisages United States to remove sanctions legislated by US Congress in 1978 on nuclear fuel and power-plant technology, and work with US lead NSG to accommodate nuclear fuel supply for Indian civilian nuclear plants. India in turn will separate its strategic facilities from civilian facilities and put all current & future civilian nuclear power plants and facilities under site specific IAEA safeguards.

Some opponents of this agreement have argued that India has small Uranium reserve thus letting India purchase nuclear fuel supply for civilian power plants from NSG will somehow help Indian nuclear weapons program by making available greater fraction of indigenous Uranium reserve for military nuclear weapons program.

Assessment
Let us look at facts to understand merit of this argument.

1. Indian strategic nuclear weapons use approximately 3 Kg Plutonium.

2. India has large un-safeguarded Plutonium stockpile (conservatively estimated to between 3,000 Kg and 6,000Kg), a fraction of that will suffice to make hundreds of nuclear weapons if India choose to exercise the option.

3. Indian PHWR reactors that are outside IAEA safeguard when operated for efficient power generation would have cumulatively required just 5,842 tonnes. India is estimated to have mined about 9,200 tonnes of natural-uranium, indicating that about 55% of the fuel and 8% of its reactor capacity was used in low fuel burn mode, generally associated with operating the reactors in mode optimized to generate weapon grade Plutonium. This corresponds to about 2,400Kg weapon grade Plutonium enough for 800 strategic nuclear weapon.

4. Current Indian reserves of uranium estimated between 77,500 – 94,000 metric tonnes, enough to support 12,000 MWe power generation for 50 yearsIII.

5. Current Indian PHWR reactors that are outside IAEA safeguard annually require 116 tonnes of natural-uranium when operated in a mode optimized for power generation. When operated in a mode optimized to generate weapon-grade Plutonium they require just 747 tonnes of natural-uranium annually, in the process they generate 745 Kg weapon grade Plutonium, which is enough for 248 nuclear weapons per year.
From above one can clearly see that there is no merit in the argument that US-India civilian nuclear agreement will be of any consequence to Indian nuclear weapons programs.

Conclusion
In conclusion the Indo-US agreement on civil nuclear reactors does not help Indian military program:
1. India already has fissile material enough to make more than 800 warheads.
2. Its Fast Breeder Reactors can generate limitless fissile material for weapons or civilian applications.
Date: 02-May-2006 Author: Arun Sharma

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 27 Feb 2009 20:34

Atomic Energy Act to be amended soon.

The government has prepared the draft of the amendment to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, in order to allow private participation in setting up nuclear power plants in India.

"The draft regulation is ready and the amendment would be passed after the parliament resumes following the elections," said Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 28 Feb 2009 17:26

Hindustan Dorr wins Rs 441 cr order from Uranium Corp

the company has bagged a prestigious order for uranium ore processing plant from Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) worth Rs 441 crores for their greenfiled ore mining and processing facility o f capacity 3000 MTPD coming up at Tumalapalle in Andhra Pradesh.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 28 Feb 2009 18:52

5-7 sites identified to set up nuclear parks: Chavan

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 02 Mar 2009 07:02

We can't miss the nuclear bus

Shivani · Post by **Shivani** » 02 Mar 2009 18:18

RaviBg wrote:Uranium exploration in a mess

There seems to be no communication and co-ordination. And yet when the time comes to 'award' mine leases to private companies, these sarkari babus become very effective.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 03 Mar 2009 04:09

India identifies 5 to 7 sites for mega nuclear power plants

Mr Chavan said that totally refuting possibilities of 100% FDI’s in nuclear energy, he declared that private players initially will have to enter India’s nuclear power generation in collaboration with centrally regulated nuclear entities like Nuclear Power Corpn India Ltd and BARC with minority stake. This could begin at 25% to 26% and later on at the most it could go up to 49%, until the government amends the Atomic Energy Act 1962.

Ameet · Post by **Ameet** » 04 Mar 2009 01:27

IAEA approves extra nuclear inspection pact for India

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/03/ ... -iaea.html

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 04 Mar 2009 03:35

The protocol, entitled "Nuclear Verification -- The Conclusion of Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocols" -- would give inspectors wider access to India's program but not as much as in countries that have signed the NPT.

"The agency will not mechanistically or systematically seek to verify information obtained. Verification activities in question are not linked to quantitative yardsticks like inventories of nuclear materials," the pact's preamble said.

"The frequency and intensity of (IAEA checks) shall be kept to the minimum consistent" with the aim of improving safeguards.

India's Additional Protocol lists some 100 nuclear-use materials and hardware to come under monitoring including entire reactors and heavy-water plants, reactor-core graphite, coolant and vacuum pumps, parts for fuel-producing centrifuges, spectrometers, uranium metal products and laser systems.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 04 Mar 2009 03:38

Siddharth Varadarajan's blog

According to the German news agency DPA, the Indian protocol does not mention verification of nuclear imports, short-notice inspections or the IAEA's right to take chemical samples which can reveal hidden nuclear activities. All of these provisions form part of the standard template for Additional Protocols.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 04 Mar 2009 05:15

IAEA Board approves Indian Additional Protocol