Uranium mining can have detrimental effects on the health of the miners and their families. An interdisciplinary team of doctors and scientists will report on this and on efforts of the nuclear industry to promote the civilian use of nuclear power in Africa at a Symposium in Johannesburg, South Africa from 16th to 19th November 2015.
Uranium mining has a long tradition in South Africa, Niger, Namibia and a number of other African states, is of economical significance but in some places, it has also led to political tensions. Furthermore, there is nowadays a strong interest by internationally operating mining companies to concentrate increasingly on Africa, because of its generally low labor cost and lack of strict legal regulations. Promises concerning windfall profits are being made to the governments of some African countries, even though there is only little evidence that these promises can be kept on a mid-term basis. Additionally, uranium mining can have detrimental effects on the health of the miners and their families, as has been documented in a number of studies.
An interdisciplinary team of doctors and scientists will report on this and on efforts of the nuclear industry to promote the civilian use of nuclear power in Africa at a Symposium in Johannesburg, South Africa from 16th to 19th November 2015
The Organizers, the Uranium Network Germany, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW, Nobel Prize for Peace in 1985) Switzerland and local NGOs intend to raise the interest and comprehension of the population of South Africa, Niger, Namibia and other uranium-exporting nations. Furthermore,the consequences of uranium mining, such as chronic long term diseases and relocations that necessitate financial compensations, will also be discussed. In addition, a small exhibition on state-of-the art technologies to harvest and convert solar, biomass and wind energies will be on display; this could be of interest tolocal municipalities, particularly those in remote areas. Target audiences of the conference are citizens, representatives of NGOs, government administrators and industries of uranium-exporting nations with interest infinding solutions.
Contact: info@uranium-network.org