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Berkeley to take uranium mine conflict with Spain to arbitration

Australian mining group Berkeley Energia will take its conflict with Spain to global arbitration after the country declined to give last approval to a uranium mine near the city of Salamanca, the business said on Wednesday.

The Retortillo task, Berkeley's primary asset, received initial approval in 2013 but has since encountered obstacles, including opposition from neighboring neighborhoods and safety issues from regulatory authorities.

Berkeley had actually approximated investment in excess of 250 million euros ($ 269 million) and more than 2,500 jobs in the area.

Spain's Energy Ministry refused to approve the job in 2021, pointing out an unfavorable viewpoint released by the Nuclear Security Council highlighting bad dependability and high unpredictability of the safety analyses of the radioactive website.

It promoted the rejection in February 2023 after the London-listed Berkeley appealed.

The company stated in a filing to the Spanish stock exchange supervisor CNMV that professional groups Herbert Smith Freehills Spain LLP and LCS Abogados will collectively prepare and send a. request for arbitration to the World Bank's International. Centre for Settlement of Financial Investment Disputes (ICSID).

Regardless of the investment conflict, Berkeley remains. committed to the Salamanca job and continues to be open to a. positive dialogue with Spain to discover a friendly. resolution, it stated.

The Energy Ministry declined to comment.

Berkeley shares increased 17% in Madrid and 11% in London on. Wednesday.

The company has stated the rejection infringed on its rights. under an international contract known as the Energy Charter. Treaty, created to promote energy security through the. operation of more open and competitive energy markets.

(source: Reuters)