Patrick El Kallas, Uranium Mining in Jordan

Patrick El Kallas
MSc in Pure and Applied Physics
MSc in Energy – Heriot Watt University

Title:

Uranium Mining in Jordan

Author: Patrick El Kallas

Date January, 2010

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Patrick El Kallas, Uranium Mining in Jordan

Introduction
Jordan is a small, mainly desert, country in the Middle East with a population of around 6
million. As one of the few countries in the region with no oil reserves, Jordan has had to
import 95% of its energy needs (3). However, Jordan’s main resource problem is water. The
current deficit exceeds 500 million cubic metres a year (2), and with one of the fastest growing
populations in the world (in addition to a large influx of refugees from neighbouring Iraq),
Jordan is quickly running out of water.

In 2007, King Abdullah II of Jordan announced a plan to develop a new energy strategy based
on energy conservation, and the development of indigenous resources such as nuclear power,
oil shale, and renewables (6). In 2008, this new plan became a reality when Jordan signed a
nuclear agreement with France and an MoU with the French energy conglomerate, AREVA,
on nuclear cooperation. It had become apparent that Jordan had a rich reserve of uranium,
currently estimated at 140,000 tonnes conventional reserves, as well as 59,000 tonnes in
phosphate deposits (6), totalling to 2% of world uranium reserves. In October 2009, and after 9
months of excavation, a joint French-Jordanian uranium mining company found the site for
the first uranium mine, and reported that high grade uranium was discovered at very shallow
depths, at some points no more than 5 feet, which means that future mining will be both easier
and cheaper than anticipated and that the estimated project development time frame will be cut
from 15 to 3 years (1).

Long-term Plan

The uranium mining is the first step in Jordan’s plan to develop a nuclear energy program that
will be used both to generate electricity for consumer use and to power desalination plants to
help meet the country’s need for water. It is anticipated that the electricity generated by a
nuclear plant, expected to go on-line by 2015, will result in a 20% reduction in the GDP spent
on importing fossil fuels (2). It is hoped that by 2030, nuclear energy will supply a third of
Jordan’s electricity. Jordan also hopes to use this nuclear power to bring into existence one of

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its biggest projects to date – the Red-Dead Canal. Water will be pumped through a pipeline
from the Gulf of Aqaba, going 110 miles over mountains and then falling down into the Dead
Sea, around 400 metres below sea level, generating, in the process, a huge amount of hydro-
electricity. Part of the Red Sea water will be cleaned and purified in desalination plants at an
estimated 850 million cubic metres a year, and the rest will be added to the Dead Sea, which is
shrinking at an alarming rate of 1 metre annually, in an effort to preserve this unique treasure.

Mining Methods

There are 4 types of mining methods in use today: conventional underground, open pit, in situ
leach (ISL) and by-product (4). Although about 62% of current mines use either conventional
underground or open pit methods, an increasing proportion of uranium is being produced by in
situ leaching. In conventional underground and open pit mines, the ore is extracted and then
taken to a mill where the ore is crushed, ground and then leached with sulphuric acid or
carbonate to dissolve the uranium oxides. In both conventional and ISL mines, the uranium is
then separated by ion exchange before being dried and packed, usually as U3O8. In all cases,
ore processing results in tailings, which must be placed in engineered dams or underground(4).

In the case of Jordan, open pit mining will be used as the uranium is close to the surface. A
feasibility study is being conducted regarding the extraction of uranium as a by-product of
phosphoric acid production, as there is an estimated 59,000 tonnes of uranium in phosphate
deposits (3). However, the recovery of uranium as a by-product is more complex and
expensive (4).

Economics
The head of the Jordan Nuclear Energy Commission has reported that the 140,000 tonnes of
conventional uranium reserves are capable of $1.5 billion of annual production (3). Such
figures go far to support arguments in favour of uranium mining as a much-needed economic
boost to the Kingdom. Proponents of uranium mining and nuclear power generation claim
that these will bring revenue to the country on multiple fronts: reduction in money spent to
import fossil fuels (estimated at 20%), revenue from possible sale of uranium in excess of the

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country’s needs, and generation of jobs for the country’s unemployed skilled workers. This
remains to be seen, as final feasibility studies will not be completed until late 2010. As far as
exporting excess uranium, current output from worldwide mines meets only 67% of the
demand for power generation (4), suggesting that, for the time being, the price of uranium is
likely to remain stable.

However, a look at the economic returns of such ventures in other countries calls into question
the argument used by proponents of uranium mining that the substantial economic benefits far
outweigh any social or environmental costs. An analysis of the economic impact of
Australia’s uranium mining program conducted by GREENPEACE suggests that much of the
revenue from mines (especially in the early stages) does not remain in the country of the mine,
but rather goes to investors/shareholders (who may likely be foreign) and to pay back loans
and interests to banks or other countries (8). In the long-term, uranium mining may have the
potential to generate substantial government revenue, but only if price levels remain
competitive. Uranium mining is a capital-intensive undertaking. In fact, it requires more
capital to create one job in uranium mining than in most other industrial activities. In addition,
uranium mining generates relatively little employment (both direct and indirect) compared to
other forms of mining or manufacturing (8). In addition, the labour and capital employed in
uranium mining do have alternative uses (in other industries for example), which also have
benefits associated with them. Thus, “a decision to mine uranium is also a decision to forgo
these benefits (what economists call ‘opportunity cost’)” (8). The report concludes that: a high
proportion of revenue from uranium mining goes to banks and shareholders especially in the
early phases of a project; that such projects are capital intensive; and that, if generation of
employment is a priority, resources would be better utilized in other forms of industry.

Environmental Impact

Although the actual environmental impact of uranium mining in Jordan cannot yet be
assessed, experiences from other such ventures in other countries suggest both positive and
negative impacts on the surrounding environment.

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Uranium ore itself has a very low level of radioactivity (equivalent to that of granite). The
major isotope U-238 has a half-life equivalent to the age of the earth, while U-235 has a half-
life one sixth of this and so emits gamma rays and alpha particles. Therefore, a lump of pure
uranium gives off some gamma rays but less than granite, while uranium as a dry powder
emits alpha radioactivity that is a potential (but not major) hazard. More importantly, uranium
is highly toxic chemically (with a level of toxicity comparable to lead). It needs to be handled
with gloves and precautions must be taken so that it is not inhaled or ingested. Most of the
radioactive risk from uranium mining comes from other radioactive elements that are in the
ore such as radon and radium. Special care must be taken when handling the ore, especially if
the uranium is high grade. In addition, much of the radioactive material ends up in the tailings
following processing of the ore. It is these tailings, which end up in specially-engineered
tailings dams or underground, that pose possible environmental and health risks if not
managed properly. The main threat is from radium, which produces radioactive products as
well as toxic radon gas as it decays. Efforts must be made to minimize the emission of radon
gas such as by keeping the material in the tailings dam under water to reduce surface
radioactivity. The main concern regarding both the actual uranium and the tailings is to avoid
air and water pollution in the area (6,7).

One of the main problems with uranium mining is the clean up following closure of mines.
Reports from abandoned mines in the United States indicate that many of these mines have not
been cleaned up properly and present environmental and health risks to neighbouring
communities (11). One particular incident was the 1979 Church Rock disaster, which was the
largest accidental release of radioactive material in US history, and in which a tailings dam
burst, releasing 1,100 tonnes of radioactive mill wastes and 90 million gallons of contaminated
liquid into the Rio Puerco River in Arizona. The main source of water for the surrounding
Navajo communities still cannot be used.
The long-term environmental benefits of uranium mining for the purpose of nuclear energy
generation is mainly the reduction of greenhouse gases (CO2 emissions) as use of fossil fuels
is reduced. For example, the operation of a nuclear power generator produces no CO2. Even
the entire nuclear chain process, from mining uranium, transportation, plant construction,
conversion into nuclear fuel, and disposal of nuclear waste, emits 3.3 grams of CO2 per kW/hr

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of power produced compared with 400 grams per KW/hr using natural gas and 700 grams per
KW/hr using coal (9). In addition, nuclear power has also been found to emit less CO2 than
other forms of renewable energy (9).

Conclusion
Jordan is taking worldwide concerns regarding the climatic and environmental perils of fossil
fuel energy production to the next level by establishing a renewable energy program. This is
good news. The fact that the Jordanian government will be working in conjunction with the
French and US governments, with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) and under international safety guidelines and regulations, it is hoped that harmful
environmental and health impacts that can be avoided will be avoided (1,6). This is also good
news. Extensive research and documentation exists regarding codes of practice in relation to
mining methods, tailings and run-off management and land rehabilitation. Guidelines for
worker safety also exist, such as the use of forced ventilation systems in underground mines
and dust control methods to limit worker exposure to radon gas. In addition, universal safety
guidelines exist as to allowable dose limits for exposure to radioactive materials and include
constant monitoring of workers’ exposure to alpha and gamma radiation. Technological
developments are underway to make the mining and milling processes less hazardous. For
example, mining of very high-grade uranium ore in Canada is done by remote control
techniques.

However, and as often happens in developing nations where there is a relative absence of
strong, independent environmental advocacy groups that have an impact on regulations and
legislation, and where there is also a relative absence of labour unions that protect the rights of
workers, strict adherence to international standards and safety guidelines is not always the
norm on the ground, even if it is the advertised policy of the day. Therefore, it is essential that
independent, non-governmental environmental groups have access to mines, processing plants
and power plants in order to periodically assess adherence to regulations and
environmental/health impact. In addition, as is the case with uranium mines in Australia and
Canada, ISO 14001 certification would be a necessity in my opinion.

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It is worth mentioning that with in situ leaching there is much less disturbance of the mine
area, much less waste rock, and that rehabilitation of these mines is much simpler than with
open pit or underground mines (6). However, given the surface location of Jordan’s uranium
reserves, open pit mining has been chosen. It is unclear whether in situ leaching is not an
option in such cases of surface deposits, or whether it is an option but is more costly. If the
latter is the case, then it might behoove the Jordanian government to reassess the choice of
mining method in order to better safeguard the environment and to make rehabilitation of the
site simpler and probably more successful.

In addition, the proposed location for the Nuclear Plant is near the Jordanian port of Aqaba on
the Red Sea. This location provides certain benefits such as the proximity to Jordan’s only
port for shipping and the availability of seawater for cooling purposes. At the same time, the
proximity of the plant to both a populated city and to Jordan’s only sea front may pose
significant health and ecological risks. In my opinion, the feasibility of locations in the
Eastern Desert should be assessed as well.

Finally, King Abdullah’s initial statement regarding Jordan’s new energy program included a
mention of conservation. However, to date, there has been no implementation regarding this
aspect. There is a pull to believe that what are known as renewable sources of energy are
limitless. While the wind, radiation from the sun, the power of water and the ability to
generate energy through nuclear fission might in fact be limitless, each of these sources
require resources to generate energy. In addition, and especially given the potential hazards of
certain forms of renewable energy, there is no way to create energy (or more specifically
electricity) without having some kind of impact on the environment, and even as CO2
emissions are reduced, other types of waste are produced, the long-term effects of which might
not yet be fully known. Therefore the world’s current energy crisis is 2 pronged: how to make
the most of the resources we do have, and which of these resources leave the least amount of
damage to us and to this earth. It is clear that fossil fuels fail in both areas and so the search
for renewable, environmentally-friendly, green, or clean sources of energy continues.
However, in the absence of a universal paradigm shift regarding our energy needs, we may

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find ourselves where we are now when such resources as silicon (for solar cells) and uranium
reserves (for nuclear reactors) begin to run out or their costs begin to sky rocket. In other
words, there is a 3rd and essential prong to the equation, and that is what are our needs really?
Jaffari and Matthews(10) use the concept of “comfort” to question such things as the ideal
temperature in an office building for example. They propose that our “comfort” levels are in
fact not static and universal, but rather idiosyncratic, malleable and culturally-bound.
Therefore, a paradigm shift regarding our need for energy consumption is possible and
essential, and it is essential for Jordan to continue implementation of it’s energy plan and take
the next step towards conservation.

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Bibliography

(1) THE JERUSALEM POST, Jordan becoming uranium mining hot spot, Oct 21, 2009
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/JPArticule

(2) THE TIMES, Uranium provides Jordan with spark for much-needed economic
bonanza, May 15, 2009
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article6289260.ece

(3) Mineweb, Energy, Areva, Jordan Atomic Energy Commission sign accord for uranium
mining JV
http://www.mineweb.net/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page38?oid=60987&sn=Detail

(4) World Nuclear Association, World Uranium Mining, November 2009

http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf23.html

(5) Jordan News, Jordan poised to enter nuclear age, Jordan: Tuesday, September 23 –
2008 at 15:08 http://www.ameinfo.com/169534.html

(6) World Nuclear Association, Environmental Aspects of Uranium Mining, September,

2009 http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf25.html

(7) Canadian Nuclear Association, Safety in the Nuclear Industry, How Is The
Environment Protected In Uranium Mining, http://www.cna.ca/curriculum/cna_safety

(8) Green LEFT, Uranium Mining and the Australian Economy, 29 September 1993,
http://www.greenleft.org.au/1993/117/5333

(9)AMEC, Joint Standing Committees on Treaties: Agreement Between Australia and the
People’s Republic of China on the Transfer and Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of
Nuclear Material, October 2006,
http://www.amec.org.au/media/docs/Austraia_and_China_Treaties_on_Transfer_7_Peace
ful_Uses_of_Uranium_FNL.pdf

(10)Jaffari, Svenja & Matthews, Ben. “From Occupying to Inhabiting – a Change in

Conceptualizing Comfort.” Beyond Kyoto: Addressing the Challenges of Climate
Change, IOP Conf. Series, IOP Publishing: Earth and Environmental Science 8 (2009).

(11)Klauk, Erin. “Environmental Impacts on the Navajo Nation from Uranium Mining”.
DLESE Community Services Project: Integrating Research and Education: Impact on
Native Lands.
http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/nativelands/navajo/environmental.html

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