The THTR Circulars from 2005

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THTR Circular No. 101, Oct. 2005

The cats does not stop to mice:

RWE NUKEM produces nuclear fuel elements for HTR in South Africa!

The high-temperature reactor is to be built in South Africa in around two years. According to the latest reports, RWE of all places will be the producer of the nuclear spherical fuel elements. A few years ago this group incorporated the United Electricity Works Westphalia (VEW), the former client of the failed THTR Hamm.

Although the red-green ministries repeatedly emphasized that the HTR line would not be pursued in Germany, the internationally operating RWE group does not adhere to the guidelines of politics. A few days before the federal election, the hand in the RWE logo takes on a deeper meaning by reaching for those radioactive spherical fuel elements that partially crumbled in the reactor core in the 80s and caused sheer horror among the residents of the Hammer reactor as released radioactive dust .

On August 24, 2005, representatives of RWE NUKEM GmbH and PBMR (Pebble Bed Modular Reactor - Pty. Ltd.) signed the contract for the "Detail Design" for the fuel production, which is to take place in the South African Pelindaba atomic factory. RWE NUKEM emphasizes in its press release:

"The design of the fuel elements is based on German HTR technology (...). Just like in the former fuel element production of NUKEM and HOBEG, the production of the spherical fuel elements takes place in four essential process steps:

+ Production of the particles

+ Coating of the particles

+ Production of the graphite matrix

+ Production of the spherical fuel elements

The contract that has now been signed includes the detail design for three of these four steps for spherical fuel element production as well as two of the processes for recycling production residues. The contract has a term of 24 months and includes options for later services such as advice, training and supervision. NUKEM has been active in the South African PBMR project since 2000 and has already successfully completed the basic engineering including the accident analysis. "(Source: www.nukem.de, 25.08.2005)

It is unclear whether the Dortmund company Uhde was completely thrown out of the running with the signing of the contract by RWE. Originally, in April and May 2005, numerous magazines reported that Uhde had been awarded the contract to build this facility (see THTR-RB No. 100). The "detail design", the production of which Uhde had previously claimed, is now being taken over by RWE. No new information has yet been announced about the "Basic Design" (see the following article).

The well-known scandal company NUKEM with its subsidiary HOBEG (Hoch Temperatur-Reaktor-Brennelemente GmbH) is now again taking over the production of the nuclear spherical fuel elements for the HTR line after the former plant in Hanau was dismantled and sold to China To supply HTRs with fuel. The whole thing is now taking place under the corporate umbrella of RWE and hereby reveals a remarkable, decades-long continuity and determination in the implementation of this reactor line on the world market. There has been no real technological thread break in HTR development.

The RWE NUKEM Group offers all forms of nuclear enrichment services for research and power reactors in its product range. The group writes on its website: "As a nuclear fuel trader, RWE NUKEM has been number one in the spot market for many years and is one of the leading providers even in the medium and long-term market." An Africa poster on this homepage also shows how far the Essen-based company identifies with the planned HTR: "RWE NUKEM - PBMR: Still In the Running."

In South Africa itself, RWE is already well known and notorious: With the Group's entry into the global water supply market and the privatization of the water supply in South Africa, many poor people there can no longer pay for the water, which has now become very overpriced, so that diseases are spreading.

Horst Blume

On December 2nd, 2004, Uhde (Dortmund) boasted on their homepage that they had received the European Environmental Press Innovation Award (EEP Award). Participating in the construction of the extremely controversial HTR reactor line and at the same time receiving an innovation award for environmental protection does not quite fit together.

The prize is awarded by 13 supposedly leading European trade magazines for environmental protection. The federal German is called "Umwelt Magazin". This newspaper is published by Springer VDI Verlag

A spicy detail: This Springer VDI Verlag also publishes the specialist energy magazine "BWK". There, in June 2005, a certain Prof. Dr-Ing. eh Klaus Knizia, the former chairman of the VEW board. And what about? Of course, about the advantages of THTR atomic technology. Who is still wondering about this "innovation award" for Uhde?

In June 2005, the green member of the Bundestag Friedrich Ostendorff from the Unna district asked Federal Minister Wolfgang Clement and Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer questions about foreign trade permits for Uhde.

On July 11.07.2005th, XNUMX the Federal Ministry of Economics and Labor replied as follows: "To my regret, I cannot answer your questions for the benefit of the company concerned due to the legally guaranteed confidentiality protection. I ask for your understanding." We have not received any official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Although Uhde had the highest order intake this year, there are increasing reports in the media of major problems at Uhde. The Westfälische Rundschau reported on July 6, 2005 of a planned 270 layoffs by 2007: "The background to have been incorrect calculations for two major projects. (...) The spokesman for the group, Andreas Beckers, did not confirm the number 270. Not even that there were problems with objects. 'We don't report individual orders,' he said. The fact that not every order runs smoothly is nothing special. " New information can only be expected in September / October 2005. Until then, Uhde wants to remain silent.

As the WAZ announced on April 28, 2005, Essener high-pressure pipeline construction (EHR) is building the lines for the world's largest nuclear power plant in Finland in its Dortmund plant. "Olkiluoto 3 "is to go into operation in Finland in 2009. The European Pressurized Water Reactor (ERP) brings 21 million euros into the coffers of the consortium partners EHR and Babcock Borsig. EHR is the market leader in pipeline construction for nuclear power plants with 1000 employees. How about a small one nuclear city tour in Dortmund?

Steve Thomas (1) from the "Public Service International Research Unit" at the University of Greenwich carried out a profitability study on the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) planned in South Africa on behalf of the Legal Resources Center and published it a few days ago. This was reported by the "Cape Times" on August 15.08.2005, XNUMX.

The cost of the PBMR increased from R 2 billion in 1999 to R 14 billion (about 1,75 billion euros) today. Add to that the 5 billion for the rights to operate these reactors in South Africa. The economic expectations of the PBMR are implausible and far too optimistic, criticizes Thomas.

The operating company of the PBMR is putting pressure on the former state energy supply company ESKOM to buy a total of 24 of these nuclear plant components for 25 billion rand (approx. 3,13 billion euros). This would normally lead to purchase price discounts, which were not granted. Only then would the PBMR make economic sense.

Steve Thomas notes that in view of the exploding costs and the delays so far, the economic information provided by the operating company appears extremely questionable. The demonstration plant itself would only result in costs, not profits. The author of the study fears that South Africa will have to carry and finance the PBMR project on its own for the foreseeable future.

The South African Department of Energy refuses to consider this critical investigation. However, Earthlife Africa is not giving up and continues to publicize the facts at information events.

(1) Already in THTR-Rundbrief No. 79 we quoted Steve Thomas in the article "The Meiler aus der Mottenkiste" (Die Zeit 11.04.2002/XNUMX/XNUMX). We also reported that he was advising the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Namibia as a former uranium supplier for the THTR-Hamm and possibly as a future supplier for the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) plays a special role in the establishment of the HTR line.

 Long Heinrich

As already reported in THTR-RB No. 100, the Australian company "Paladin Resources Ltd" plans to mine uranium in the "Langer Heinrich" mountain range in Namibia. The environmental protection organization Earthlife Africa protested vigorously against this project. In the German-language Namibian daily newspaper "Allgemeine Zeitung" she repeatedly pointed out the enormous water consumption of at least one million cubic meters, which would be enough for around 15.000 people. There is also a threat of groundwater pollution, released uranium oxide in the form of dust and contamination from sponge ponds. Earthlife also complained that the residents of the nearby coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay had not been fully informed about the dangers of the planned mine.

The "Allgemeine Zeitung" reported on July 28.07.2005, 25 that the Namibian Ministry of Mining and Energy had granted approval for the mining license applied for on the "Langen Heinrich" for a period of 2,6 years. "According to the preliminary studies, Langer Heinrich Uranium will produce 1,5 Mlb uranium oxide. 15 megatons of ore per year will be processed over a period of 80 years." The construction of an 2005-kilometer water and power line will begin in the fourth quarter of 2006. The plant is scheduled to go into operation in September 14.09.2005. The official groundbreaking for the uranium mine took place on September XNUMX, XNUMX.

Rössing mine

Meanwhile, the Rössing mine of "Rio-Tinto", which is mining a little further north, is in the red because, as an export company, it is suffering from an unfavorable exchange rate trend. In 2004, production increased by 1181 tons of uranium oxide compared to the previous year. In spite of this, the 3582 tons extracted in the past financial year could not prevent the deficit of 75 million Namibian dollars, wrote the "Allgemeine Zeitung" on July 14.07.2005, 2007. By improving production processes, Rio-Tinto tries to delay the end of production from 2009 to 2017. There is even speculation that the lifespan will be extended to 106. The operators emphasize that the export of 7,7 tons of uranium oxide to the People's Republic of China was the first delivery by a "western producer" to China. According to the "Allgemeine Zeitung", Rössing's share in the global production of uranium oxide is XNUMX percent. The meanwhile rising uranium prices give the Rössing management confidence for the future.

Quick wins

The greed for quick profits attracted the company Reefton Mining NL to Namibia, which wanted to mine in the so-called Ergono project area. However, since she had already started drilling in 2000 without consulting the Namibian government and had not applied for a search for nuclear fuels, her application was rejected (Allgemeine Zeitung of July 29.07.2005, XNUMX).

The huge natural gas fields 170 kilometers off the coast of Namibia on the border with South Africa have already been mentioned several times in the THTR-RB because, according to South African environmentalists, they could make the construction of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) superfluous. In July 2005, the Namibian Ministry of the Environment approved the environmental assessment for the Kudugas project. But a week earlier, the German Siemens AG visited Namibia and was received by President Hifikepunye Pohamba. The German ambassador Wolfgang Massing eagerly seconded this business deal with the successors of the former colonial masters. After all, Siemens is the market leader in the manufacture of gas turbines and is already cooperating with the energy supply company NamPower. The Namibian Siemens branch, which already employs 45 people, would primarily take care of the maintenance of the systems if the new cooperation came about.

Not too far from the Namibian uranium mines and gas fields is the South African Koeberg, where, in addition to two pressurized water reactors (built by Framatome, now part of the AREVA Group), the high-temperature reactor PBMR is planned. As part of the AREVA group, Siemens is involved in the research and development of the HTR line. And if nothing comes of the commissioning of the PBMR, Siemens can earn money with the competing gas power plant project. And if the population near the Namibian uranium mines or the planned PBMR should become seriously ill due to radioactive radiation, then we can be sure that Siemens will supply expensive medical equipment for the medical treatment of these poor people!

With the planned construction of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR), South Africa wants to present a reference system for future exports to so-called emerging countries. Preparations for this are underway at all levels.

This also includes the exploitation of uranium mines in the immediate vicinity. Because without this nuclear fuel, the operation of high-temperature reactors would not be possible. As early as 2001 the "Namibia Economist" wrote that the planned PBMR could secure the sales of the Namibian uranium mine Rössing. Meanwhile, a new mine (Langer Heinrich) is planned in the neighboring Naukluft nature reserve. On top of that. The newspaper "Neues Deutschland" reported on July 23.07.2005, XNUMX: "After all, the Namibian government has just announced that uranium fields that have already been closed are to be made profitable again with South African support."

There is a very high capital requirement in South Africa for the establishment and development of the mining and energy industries as the most important export sector, so that international banks sense big business. In the meantime, Barclays, the third largest bank in Great Britain, has a 60 percent stake in the formerly state-owned bank ABSA Group Ltd. enter. This is surprising in so far as Barclays was one of the main financiers of the apartheid regime until the mid-XNUMXs. But that no longer counts when it comes to profitable business.

South African corporations want to invest billions, according to ND, because due to mismanagement and wars, bankrupt shafts, pits and energy sources can currently be acquired cheaply in the region. The large mining corporations are therefore drawn to Mozambique, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The expansion of activities in Botswana and Ghana is also considered lucrative. After the pacification of the Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea, diamond fields and oil concessions await here. (...)

The background to these activities is the great demand for raw materials in China and other emerging countries. In order to develop new sources of raw materials, South Africa needs capital from the north - the return of the major bank Barclays should prove helpful for raising funds. At the Cape, however, there is also a new south-south axis with Malaysia, Indonesia and India. "

These are precisely those countries that are already being wooed as potential customers for the HTR. German professors and scientists have been lobbying intensively here for many years (see THTR-RB No. 88, 89 and 98). A small HTR is already in operation in China and in 2007 the construction of a large HTR system is to begin. Intensive economic cooperation in general and at the nuclear level in particular is emerging between South Africa and Asia.

Presumably the London bombings on July 7th were directed from Johannisburg.

"The man behind the attacks almost a month ago stayed in South Africa for weeks and has now been arrested in Zambia. The man's name is given as Haroon Rashid Aswat. The 30-year-old Briton of Pakistani origin has been under observation by the US secret service for three years He is said to have once been the bodyguard of Osama bin Laden, showed himself to be a hostage-taker in Yemen and, after setting up a training camp for Al Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan, tried to set up such a camp in the US state of Oregon.

According to the South African television broadcaster e-tv, Aswat made more than twenty phone calls to the attackers in London and flew to the British capital two weeks before the attacks to personally lead the actions. Immediately returned to South Africa, he then tried to escape to Zambia via Botswana. Only then did the trap snap shut.

(...) Al Qaeda activities have been observed in South Africa for a long time. Although the country's 200.000 or so Muslims are considered peaceful citizens, extreme Islamist groups are said to have dangerous contacts with Pakistani terrorists. Months ago, two South Africans went into the net when a 13-man terrorist group was levied in Pakistan. At that time, in addition to weapons, computers and foreign exchange, plans, maps and documentation were found that could also affect targets in South Africa. Meanwhile, the country at the Cape fears for its image as the venue for the 2010 soccer World Cup. (...)  

From: Neues Deutschland, August 2, 2005, by Hanna Ndlovu, Tshwane

A few kilometers away from the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) in Oari (Japan), a severe earthquake with a magnitude of 2005 on the Richter scale occurred in mid-August 7,2. 46 people were injured and skyscrapers in Tokyo, 300 kilometers away, swayed. A neighboring nuclear power plant was shut down. I was lucky again ...

"Security" and military cooperation have recently become very important in Russia and China. That is why the huge, sensational military maneuver of these two states also took place in mid-August 2005 at the very spot where construction of the first Chinese HTR power reactor is to begin in 18 months: on the Shandong peninsula, on the opposite border between North and North South Korea protrudes. The news agency Xinhua writes: "The maneuver will strengthen the ability of the military in our two countries to jointly fight international terrorism, separatism and extremism" (Junge Welt 17.08.2005/XNUMX/XNUMX)

Repression against the anti atom currently

On August 10, 2005, more than 40 police officers searched the editorial offices of anti atom aktuell (aaa) in Tollendorf in the Wendland region. They confiscated all computers, numerous documents, CDs and floppy disks from this nationwide "newspaper for the immediate shutdown of all nuclear facilities".

The aaa has been an important mouthpiece for the anti-nuclear movement since it was founded in 1989. Here calls and declarations of various anti-nuclear initiatives are documented and uncensored for discussion. This free communication is a thorn in the side of the public prosecutor's office.

The search warrant of 08.08.05 states:

"The accused is suspected of having publicly and by disseminating writings encouraged an illegal act by announcing a 'Yomango action' on the Prekär Camp website on August 10, 2005. 'Yomango' is the colloquial Spanish language for: 'I steal'. Under the category 'Poster and Call', participation in the Prekär Camp is advertised from August 5th to 15. Under the heading 'There is something to do', the preliminary program of events is communicated in which for A 'Yomango action' is announced on August 10, 2005. The accused is the domain owner of the website. - The accusation made to commit a criminal offense does not exist.

"The police were not on the road either to thwart or to investigate crimes; this riot police took advantage of the opportunity and acted as the punitive executive, hoping to find something that could be used by the court", Elisabeth K. complains about this massive break-in Privacy. "The confidentiality of information, editorial secrecy and the work of the press in general are protected by the constitution. What the public prosecutor, police and court think of it - especially when it comes to media of social movement - they have made very clear with their action. "

The raid against aaa is intended to intimidate people who oppose nuclear policy.
We show solidarity with aaa and protest against these massive attacks on freedom of the press. All seized materials must be returned immediately, all copies made must be destroyed and the proceedings immediately terminated! No more repression and intimidation! (From a press release by the magazine "Graswurzelrevolution")

About six weeks later, the 6th criminal division of the Lüneburg Regional Court declared the house search to be illegal. In its reasoning, the Chamber pointed to the particular severity with which the house search encroached on fundamental rights. Further information: www.anti-atom-aktuell.de

No repression against BI Hamm (yet): On the anniversary of Chernobyl, we carried out a vigil with a balloon campaign, which was widely noticed in the media, in front of the entrance to the THTR. Unfortunately we had forgotten to announce this in the rush. The police accused us of holding a prohibited event. On August 22.08.2005, XNUMX, however, the public prosecutor dropped the proceedings. Not without emphasizing that in the event of repetition, this would no longer be expected.

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