Canadian firm defends controversial uranium exploration

Oct 16, 2026 News

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…amid appeals against EPA’s decision to waive EIA for project

(Kaieteur News) – Canadian-based U92 Energy Corp. has taken to its social media platform to distinguish its proposed uranium exploration activities in Guyana from commercial mining, amid appeals challenging Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to exempt the project from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

In three separate posts during this week, U92 Energy that owns the Kurupung Uranium Project through its wholly owned subsidiary, LIA (Guyana) addressed some concerns that were raised in the appeals lodged with the chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) in relation to EPA’s decision.

The appeals were filed following the publication of a notice by EPA on 26^th August, saying it exempts LIA (Guyana) Inc. from an EIA for mineral exploration at the Kurupung Uranium Project, in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

This publication reported on two separate appeals lodged by four organisations and 40 individuals, including former EPA head, Dr. Vincent Adams, and another by 15 individuals and three organisations.

Both groups raised concerns about the environmental and health risks associated with uranium exploration, the absence of consultations with nearby Indigenous communities and the adequacy of the EPA’s decision to waive the EIA requirement for uranium exploration.

While EPA cleared U92 to conduct soil sampling and approximately 5,000 metres of diamond drilling from about 30 drill platforms and other work, the appeals have effectively put a pause on the proposed activities until the EAB makes its decision on whether to agree or disagree with EPA’s decision.

In its first post, U92 outlined that one routine chest X-ray has the equivalent radiation exposure to seven years working in uranium exploration, at an equivalent grade of 0.07% U3O8. “Exploration exposure to radiation is low compared to a single chest X-ray,” the company said.

In another post, the company highlighted that “exploration is not mining”. The Canadian firm explained that at its licence area in Guyana, the work the team will embark on includes the drilling of narrow holes and studying the rock core extracted.

“It shows what is in the ground, and where. When drilling is finished, each hole is capped and the site is remediated,” U92 said. The company further noted that a mine would only come later, after more studies, an environmental assessment and approval from Guyana’s government.

The posts come as the company’s proposed uranium exploration programme faces objections from citizens and civil society organisations.

EPA had explained that following the review of the application, it determined that the proposed exploration activities are “not likely to significantly affect the environment” and are therefore exempt from the requirement to conduct an EIA. The agency explained that its decision was based on several factors, including that the project is limited to exploration and does not involve mining or mineral processing. Another factor stated is that land disturbance will be localised and mainly confined to small drill pads, access routes and temporary facilities.

The project area spans approximately 92.2 square kilometres and carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 million pounds of uranium. U92 had anticipated that the phase one drill programme will commence during the month of August, 2026 following receipt of the EPA’s approval of the environmental management plan.

The first group, in a letter dated 25^th September, questioned the agency’s assessment that the proposed activities were not likely to significantly affect the environment. The signatories also raised concerns about the contamination of air, land and waterways by toxic radioactive particles and waste; the lack of consultation with nearby Indigenous communities; the company’s experience; and the waste left behind by previous companies that operated the project.

Another appeal, submitted by Danuta Radzik on behalf of the signatories, similarly challenged the EPA’s decision. They questioned the grounds EPA listed for its exemption, that the agency’s decision violates the section of the Environmental Act, the lack of information on the company’s track record, lack of consultation with indigenous communities, the public, health and environmental risk concerns as well as questioning the agency’s capacity to monitor such project and Guyana lacking specific regulations for uranium exploration or mining.

In a third post, U92 highlighted that Namibia has mined uranium since 1976, starting at the Rössing mine, adding that today the country’s mines can supply about 10% of the world’s uranium.

Referencing information from World Nuclear Association, Uranium in Namibia, U92 said, “The industry there works under Namibia’s Minerals Act, Atomic Energy Act and Environmental Management Act, with a National Radiation Protection Authority.”

To this end, U92 noted that Guyana could establish itself as the next emerging market for uranium exploration and development.

Kaieteur News reported that U92 Energy acquired the project early this year through the acquisition of LIA Industries Pte. Ltd., a Singaporean firm that owns LIA (Guyana). This publication reported that LIA (Guyana) Inc., was incorporated in Guyana on 20^th March, 2023, and holds exclusive rights to occupy and explore the property under two Prospecting Licences (PLs) issued by the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) on 19^th April, 2024.

The licences permit exploration for uranium, other radioactive minerals, and rare-earth elements for three years, ending 18^thApril, 2027, with an option to extend for up to two additional one-year periods through 18^thApril, 2029.

Notably, Kurupung area was previously explored by Prometheus Resources (Guyana) Inc. and U3O8 Corp. between approximately 2006 and 2012.

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• EPA, U92, U92 Energy Corp., Uranium, uranium exploration

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