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COMUF: redeveloped sites in Gabon
COMUF operated uranium deposits in southeastern Gabon from 1961 to 1999 before beginning the sites’ reclamation, until 2006. The sites are currently undergoing radiological analysis intended to confirm a return to their initial state.
COMUF (Compagnie des Mines d'Uranium de Franceville) was founded in 1958, following the discovery of the Mounana deposit in Gabon by the Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA) in 1958.
AREVA currently has a 68.4% interest in the company, while the Gabon government holds 25.8%. SGCF (Société Générale Commerciale et Financière) and small investors hold an additional 5.8%. AREVA has been the operator of COMUF since 1986.
Mining operations
From 1961 to 1999, the Compagnie des Mines d'Uranium de Franceville (COMUF) mined the uranium deposits in the Haut-Ogooué region in southeastern Gabon.
The ore was extracted in open-pit mines or underground mines before concentration in a treatment plant located on site.
COMUF produced a total of more than 26,000 metric tons of uranium. Its mining operations were definitively shut down in June 1999, due to a lack of economically recoverable reserves.
Reclamation of mining sites
AREVA has been looking into a site reclamation program centered around a study based on principles for justification and optimization of radiological protection. Since 1997, this measure has been led in compliance with current international regulations (study funded as part of the European SYSMIN agreement).
The restoration and disassembly works started in 1999, and the sum of 5.3 million euros was allocated as part of a plan to progressively eliminate 1,000 mining jobs (60% voluntary departures).
Following disassembly of the facilities, the site is now "under redevelopment."
In 2006, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) made 4 study missions to Gabon and acknowledged the quality of the site's reclamation.
Since April 2008, the first Safety Observatory deployed by AREVA on its mining sites (in use or reclaimed) has been operational. The mission of this multi-party structure (state-NGO-AREVA) is to establish in complete transparency a health assessment of the mines’ former workers as well as the local populations, in relation to the uranium exploration activities.
An ongoing social commitment
AREVA is aware of the socio-economic difficulties present within the city of Mounana and its surroundings. For this reason, the group effects actions intended to bring benefits to local populations.
Between 2004 and 2009, AREVA has invested nearly 800,000 euros in Mounana within the sectors of health, education and economic development. All these activities have taken place many years since AREVA’s industrial activities ceased in the area.
Contact
COMUF
BP 270
Mounana par Moanda, Gabon
Tel.: +241 62 00 00 +241 62 00 18
