24 March 2022
The Environmental Impact Study and Environmental Impact Report (EIA/RIMA), of construction of a uranium and/or phosphate extraction facility in Santa Quitria, Brazil, were accepted by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources.
The Itataia uranium phosphate deposits (Image: INB).
In September 2020, the Santa Quitria Consortium and the government of Brazil’s northeastern state of Cear signed a Memorandum of Understanding to construct a uranium-phosphate extraction plant in Itataia. The consortium is a partnership of Indstrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB), a fuel cycle company, and Galvani, a fertiliser producer.
INB was happy to accept the EIA/RIMA of this project by IBAMA, a federal agency of the Ministry of Environment. INB said that this was an important step in the licensing process as it validates whether the content of the document conforms to the Terms of Reference set by the agency. It will then submit technical analysis.
After IBAMA accepts the proposal, there will then be a public hearing within 60 days. This will allow for clarification of certain aspects of project and collect suggestions, questions, and criticisms. These hearings will be held in May.
INB stated that the distribution of digital copies of EIA and printed copies of RIMA began this week to institutions and bodies determined by IBAMA. This includes the municipalities of Santa Quitria, Itatira, and the Government of State of Cear. Galvani and INB representatives are also present in Cear for institutional visits.
Alessandra Barrreto, INB chemical engineer, said that there are three stages to the environmental licensing process. “Now, we’re in the process to obtain the preliminary license. The next step is to obtain the preliminary license. Next comes the installation license, followed by the operating licence. These licenses must be in sync with the nuclear licensing because this is an enterprise that will produce uranium concentrate.
The Itataia deposit is Brazil’s largest discovered uranium resource. An estimated 142,200 tons of uranium has been inter-mixed and phosphates. The deposit contains 79.5 million tonnes ore at grades of 11% and 0.0998%, which equates to approximately 8.9 million tonnes P2O5 et 79.3 million tonnes U3O8.
Santa Quitria Consortium, formed in June 2008, will invest USD400-450 millions in the Itataia facility. The operation is expected to start in 2023 and reach full capacity in 2026. The project is expected generate up to 2500 direct jobs. The deposit is expected to last for 30 years.
As a by-product from 240,000 tonnes P2O5, the facility will produce 2300 tonnes per year of uranium concentrate. Galvani will use the phosphates to make fertilisers, while INB will use the uranium as a by-product to produce uranium concentrate.
A ceremony was held earlier this month to celebrate Brazil’s launch. National Fertiliser Plan 2022-2050The meeting was held at Palcio do Planalto (Brasil). The Federal Government prepared the plan, which includes measures for the next 28 year that will reduce the dependence of Brazilian rural producers upon imported fertilisers. The plan also includes the Santa Quitria Project, which will produce 25% of the country’s demand for fertilisers in the north and northeast.
Researched by World Nuclear News and written by them
