THE EXPLOITATION OF THE TULGHEŞ-GRINŢIEŞ URANIUM DEPOSIT. BETWEEN BENEFITS AND CONTROVERSY

Abstract

The Exploitation of the Tulgheș-Grințieș Uranium Deposit. Between Benefits and Controversy. Romania is one of the few European states (alongside the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ukraine) and one of the few in the world with uranium deposits (Canada, Australia, Niger, Namibia are others), mainly used in the energy sector. According to recent studies, the only currently exploited deposit (Crucea-Botușana, Suceava County) is nearly depleted (by 2019) and will be eventually shut down. For this reason, there are plans to open a new uranium mining facility in the Tulgheș-Grințieș area, where geological surveys have proven that the area holds the largest uranium deposit in the country. It will provide the necessary fuel for Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, for the two functional reactors, which have a total capacity of 706 MW each (producing roughly 18% of the country's electricity needs), as well as for units 3 and 4, not operational yet. The study at hand intends to emphasize several aspects regarding the exploitation possibilities for the uranium deposit from the two mineralized structures located in the fracture areas of the central Carpathian line, through which the crystalline overflows the Cretaceous Flysch. Furthermore, the environmental impact analysis as well as the long term safety and security of the population inhabiting the area will be of utmost importance.