Tuesday, 15 September 2026

Saudi Arabia has identified 110 million tonnes of uranium-bearing ore containing a mix of uranium, rare earths and other minerals, according to Neutron Bytes. The find was announced by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference.

A further 32,400 tonnes of Saudi deposits are classified in the Red Book as inferred, Neutron Bytes reported.

Nearly all of the kingdom's uranium deposits carry mining costs of as much as USD 130 per kilogram and do not exceed USD 260 per kilogram, according to the Red Book figures cited by Neutron Bytes.

The announcement follows a civil nuclear cooperation agreement between Washington and Riyadh, signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on 07/22/26.

Chubu Electric Power Co.'s president and chairperson are stepping down to take responsibility for the utility's yearslong manipulation of earthquake safety data covering two nuclear reactors, according to Power Engineering Nuclear.

President Kingo Hayashi and chairperson Satoru Katsuno will leave their posts on Sept. 30, Power Engineering Nuclear reported. Minoru Yasui, currently a director, will be promoted to president on Oct. 1.

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority suspended safety screening for the Hamaoka No. 3 and No. 4 reactors in December after months of internal investigation prompted by a whistleblower tip, according to the same report.

The Hamaoka plant sits on a coastal area about 200 kilometers west of Tokyo, a zone known for potential risks from Nankai Trough megaquakes.

Of Japan's 54 commercial reactors, 11 are in operation, 20 are offline, and more than 20 others are being decommissioned, according to the Nuclear Regulation Authority.