At Goliad the uranium ore is located just 400 feet deep within the same rock as a groundwater reservoir that ranchers tap for drinking water, both for themselves and their livestock.

FORBES: Energy's Latest Battleground: Fracking For Uranium

That column looked at the role of Plame's husband, former Ambassador Joe Wilson, in investigating claims about Iraq's nuclear ambitions -- specifically reports that Iraq had tried to buy uranium ore in Niger and elsewhere in Africa.

CNN: Novak: 'No great crime' with leak

Rio Tinto (nyse: RTP - news - people ), based in London, is one of the most diversified mining companies in the world, with huge reserves of iron ore, copper, aluminum and uranium.

FORBES: The Hardest Of Assets: Metal Stocks

Sierra Leone made news in 2012 with eye-popping economic growth figures boosted by strong iron ore exports while in Niger it was uranium and oil exports that brought impressive growth.

BBC: African Viewpoint: Predictions for 2013

The Company has interests in mining for aluminum, borax, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver, tin, uranium, zinc, titanium, dioxide feedstock, diamonds, talc and zircon.

FORBES: Guru Stocks at 52-Week Lows: VALE, RIO, FB, AAUKY, HPQ