10.17.2005
China's Secret Uranium Bid (TheAge.com.au)
By Richard Baker
October 17, 2005
CHINA has asked the Federal Government if it can conduct its own uranium exploration and mining operations in Australia.
Confidential diplomatic cables obtained by The Age show the Chinese told Australian officials of their interest in "uranium mining and exploration in Australia" at a February meeting in Beijing.
At the meeting, the deputy director-general of China's National Development and Reform Commission, Wang Jun, asked Australian officials, "Would Australia permit Chinese involvement?'
The director-general of the Australian Nuclear Safeguards Office, John Carlson, told Mr Wang there would be no restrictions at a federal level.
But Mr Carlson warned that Australia's state and territory governments — responsible for licensing mining and exploration — opposed further uranium mining and exploration.
(More ... China's secret uranium bid - National - theage.com.au) ¶ 20:14
October 17, 2005
CHINA has asked the Federal Government if it can conduct its own uranium exploration and mining operations in Australia.
Confidential diplomatic cables obtained by The Age show the Chinese told Australian officials of their interest in "uranium mining and exploration in Australia" at a February meeting in Beijing.
At the meeting, the deputy director-general of China's National Development and Reform Commission, Wang Jun, asked Australian officials, "Would Australia permit Chinese involvement?'
The director-general of the Australian Nuclear Safeguards Office, John Carlson, told Mr Wang there would be no restrictions at a federal level.
But Mr Carlson warned that Australia's state and territory governments — responsible for licensing mining and exploration — opposed further uranium mining and exploration.
(More ... China's secret uranium bid - National - theage.com.au) ¶ 20:14
