Indigenous peoples in the nuclear age: Uranium mining on indigenous' lands

Abstract

A major part of the global uranium reserves are located on indigenous peoples' lands. Most indigenous peoples have strongly opposed uranium exploration and exploitation on their ancestral lands, given that many of the uranium mining projects carried out on their lands since the mid-twentieth century during the first uranium boom have led to devastating environmental and health effects. As the share of nuclear energy in global power generation and the demand for uranium had been in decline since the mid-1980s, the pressure on indigenous peoples to accept uranium mining on their lands has been lower in recent years. This began to change, however, with the reconsideration of the allegedly CO2-free nuclear energy as energy source due to increased concerns about global warming in the early 2000s. With the growth in demand, the prices for uranium have increased, and more and more mining companies have approached States-and indigenous peoples directly-for uranium mining permits on indigenous lands. This chapter looks at the potential impact of uranium mining on indigenous communities, examines national and international legal frameworks governing uranium mining on indigenous lands, and develops substantial and procedural rights of indigenous peoples under international law.