The administrators of National Uranium Company (CNU) have replaced CEO Adrian Posa with Gelu Mărăcineanu, said the union leader at CNU, Mugurel Huțuleac, writes Mediafax.
Adrian Posa became CEO at CNU in April 10, 2015 next to the moment when company’s management was replaced after the strikes of employees of Suceava Branch unit that manages the only active uranium mine in Romania, the Crucea – Botușana deposit.
Ministry of Energy intends to keep the nuclear cycle; the subordinate company seeks for lower prices
CNU has lost its two clients, Nuclearelectrica and the National Administration of State Reserves and Special Issues, at the end of last year. The complete nuclear cycle, consisting of uranium mining (CNU), processing of raw materials (FCN Pitești), nuclear energy generation unit production (CNE Cernavodă) and the production of heavy water (RAAN Drobeta Turnu Severin) is close to being called off because the manufacturer of heavy water is close to bankruptcy, and CNU doesn’t have sources of income for 2016.
Two years ago, the then Minister for Energy, Răzvan Nicolescu, said that he wanted the merger between CNU and Nuclearelectrica to preserve the nuclear cycle completely, and in 2015 some information suggested the opening of a new uranium mine in Romania, along with discussions of gaining access to uranium deposits in Kazakhstan.
The positions of the Ministry of Energy and Nuclearelectrica, a company controlled by the Romanian state, are diametrically opposed. The position of Energy Minister, Victor Grigorescu, is for keeping the nuclear cycle. “Romania has a full nuclear cycle and we will preserve it. This is a competitive advantage that we want to keep”, he said recently.
On the other hand, Daniela Lulache, Executive Director at Nuclearelectrica, aims to purchase uranium at the best possible price, even if it means to import the material.
“Mentioning uranium, Nucleaelectrica is a listed company. We have economic objectives. So, we will buy from suppliers who offer us the best conditions, including for uranium. Now we import uranium. It is more advantageous for us. For me it is important the security of supply and the cost. When the local supplier doesn’t obey its contractual obligations, I move to another. If the state will restructure, privatize the National Uranium Company, the merge opportunities between various companies is a state problem, not Nuclearelectrica’s. Vertical integration is a strategic option. Maybe Romanian uranium resources can be used at another time, in another way. If it is going to be an investment opportunity in uranium, we will analyze and decide, on the will of the shareholders”, said Daniela Lulache.
Unionists from CNU count on uranium offtake by the Romanian state
Mugurel Huțuleac, the union leader, said it will be signed a regulatory document that will allow CNU to deliver production towards the National Administration of State Reserves and Special Issues. The union at CNU has sent recently a letter to the Presidency and the Government showing that work stoppages will lead to interruption of the domestic raw material supply of nuclear fuel cycle and the loss of nuclear energy independence.
Uranium Preparation Operation Union explains in the letter that CNU is the only operator in Romania to exploit and prepare uranium ore, and refine the technical uranium concentrates for the production of materials necessary for the operation of Cernavodă groups.
The document highlights the fact that the company’s situation, at present, is difficult because the two contracts that provide income for CNU no longer exist after Nuclearelectrica canceled the contract on 29 December, and the National Administration of State Reserves and Special Problems cannot conclude a new contract since in its budget for 2016 is not provided the required amount. Hence, for 2016 CNU has no source of income.