Uranium Enrichment and Fuel Fabrication - Current Issues (Other Countries)
(last updated 3 Nov 2008)
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> See also directory of World Nuclear Fuel Facilities
Making nuclear fuel should be taken out of the hands of individual nations and put into multilateral groups in order to keep countries from secretly developing atomic weapons, a UN report said.
The report by a panel of experts to Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), comes ahead of a meeting in New York in May 2005 to review the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which gives the IAEA a mandate to verify that atomic programs in over 180 signatory nations are peaceful.
ElBaradei has warned that the NPT, in effect since 1970, has serious flaws at a time when the international community is worried about atomic programs in Iran and North Korea.
The world cannot continue allowing countries to develop the ability to make nuclear fuel that can also be used to make atomic bombs, ElBaradei told AFP in an interview in January.
"We just cannot continue business as usual that every country can build its own factories for separating plutonium or enriching uranium.
Then we are really talking about 30, 40 countries sitting on the fence with a nuclear weapons capability that could be converted into a nuclear weapon in a matter of months," ElBaradei said.
(AFP Feb. 23, 2005)
> View IAEA press briefing Feb. 22, 2005 
> Download Report of the Expert Group: Multilateral Approaches to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, INFCIRC/640 - 22 February 2005 (748k PDF)
UN atomic energy chief Mohamed ElBaradei has proposed that all countries lead by example by committing not to build facilities for uranium enrichment and nuclear reprocessing for five years.
ElBaradei told the Asahi Shimbun in its Jan. 7, 2005, edition that a global freeze on construction for uranium enrichment and nuclear reprocessing would be discussed at a May conference in New York on the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
Such a moratorium would have value as it would place "some limitation on the right of every country to develop a full (nuclear) fuel cycle," he said.
He said a global freeze could last for five years or "until we have completed our work on how we can have an international arrangement for the fuel cycle."
"We have enough capacity in the world for enrichment or reprocessing," said ElBaradei who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
(AFP Jan 7, 2005)
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Argentina ·
Brazil
Argentina, Brazil to build joint uranium enrichment plant
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Dioxitek S.A. UO2 plant, Córdoba
Dioxitek considers doubling of nuclear fuel production capacity
The chairman of Dioxitek S.A., Santiago Morazzo, announced that he is studying the construction of a new plant that will double its production to 300 tonnes per year, and it will be located outside the urban area of Córdoba.
(Clarín Aug. 1, 2007)
Environment defense foundation (FUNAM) denounces the environmental situation at the Dioxitek S.A. uranium dioxide plant in Córdoba
On July 25, the Environment defense foundation (FUNAM) denounced the environmental situation at the Dioxitek S.A. uranium dioxide plant in Córdoba, where more than 36,000 tonnes of radioactive waste are stored on-site without proper protective measures. FUNAM requested that the CNEA remedies the site immediately and the Municipality closes the plant of Dioxitek S.A..
Well water near Ezeiza nuclear center contaminated with uranium and other toxic substances
After reiterated complaints, the Buenos Aires Province Secretariat of Environmental Policy is planning to investigate if "genetic mutations" exist in residents living near the Centro Atómico Ezeiza.
(Diario Uno de Mendoza June 26, 2006)
The well water that is being used by thousands of inhabitants of Ezeiza, Esteban Echeverría and La Matanza is contaminated with uranium and other toxic substances originating from the Centro Atómico Ezeiza (CAE).
This was revealed in a report prepared by geologist Fernando Diaz of the University of Buenos Aires.
74% of the wells sampled (36 out of 46) showed concentrations of uranium and nitrate in excess of WHO's preliminary drinking water guideline values (15 micrograms per litre, and 50 milligrams per litre, respectively). 1,618,069 people are living in the three localities affected. Nearly 47% of them (760,000) are not connected to the potable water network and are therefor using well water.
(Los Andes, March 19, 2005)
CNEA maintains that the uranium concentrations found (up to 56 µg/L) do not exceed the Argentinian standard of 100 (!) µg/L. (El Santacruzeño March 22, 2005)
A study performed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of the Buenos Aires Province Secretariat of Environmental Policy (SPA) found that the uranium concentration in 10 of 51 samples taken exceeds 20 micrograms per liter, which is the limit established by the Province. The average concentration in those wells was 26 micrograms, reaching almost 35 micrograms per liter in one case. (Clarín Nov. 12, 2005)
> View details (SPA - in Spanish)
The Argentinian nuclear regulatory authority (ARN ) maintains that (a) the uranium detected was natural rather than enriched uranium, (b) the concentrations found are within the range of values naturally found in the area, (c) the Argentinian standard of 100 µg U/L is appropriate for radiation protection - ignoring the fact that the WHO provisional guideline of 15 µg/L was established for the chemical toxicity of uranium.
> See also Greenpeace Argentina (in Spanish)
Argentina, Brazil to build joint uranium enrichment plant
On Feb. 22, 2008, the presidents of Argentina and Brazil agreed to create a commission on pursuing joint uranium enrichment for peaceful nuclear energy purposes. (AP Feb. 22, 2008)
First unit of Resende enrichment plant inaugurated
On May 5, 2006, Minister of Science and Technology, Sérgio Rezende, inaugurated the first unit of the Resende enrichment plant run by Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB). The completion of the plant is scheduled for 2010, at total investment costs of R$ 550 million (US$ 267 million). Once in full operation, the plant could provide 60% of the fuel for the Angra reactors.
The plant uses national technology developed by the Brazilian Navy. The Brazilian ultracentrifugal machines are almost four times more economic than those used in the United States and in Europe.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) demanded total visualization of the equipment, in order to guarantee that it would not be used for the production of nuclear weapons.
(O Estado May 5, 2006)
Startup of Resende enrichment plant deferred further
The commercial startup of the Resende enrichment plant, scheduled for Jan. 17, 2006, had to be delayed further. The plant is running in test mode since August 2005. In addition, the completion of the first stage of the plant (114,000 SWU/year) has been postponed from 2008 to 2010 for budgetary restrictions.
(O Estado Jan. 16, 2006)
Startup of Resende enrichment plant deferred until 2006
On Sep. 5, 2005, the minister of Science and Technology, Sergio Rezende, informed that the inauguration of the Resende enrichment plant will be deferred until 2006.
(Agencia Brasil, Sep. 5, 2005)
Strike paralyzes Resende enrichment and nuclear fuel plant
On Dec. 16, 2004, the employees of the Resende enrichment plant and nuclear fuel plant initiated a strike for higher wages, paralyzing the fuel production and the uranium enrichment tests.
The tests are essential for the planned commencement of commercial enrichment operation in March 2005.
(La Prensa, Dec. 17, 2004)
Brazil and IAEA reach agreement in principle on inspections at Resende enrichment plant
"We have been able to reach an agreement in principle with the Brazilian government on a safeguards approach to verify the enrichment facilities in Brazil, at the Resende facility. An approach which will enable us to do credible inspections but at the same time take care of Brazil's need to protect certain commercial sensitivity inside the facility. That approach has been, as I have said, agreed on principle and I expect in the next couple of weeks, to be finalized in a formal way." (IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei in a press briefing on Nov. 25, 2004)
Brazil refuses IAEA access to Resende enrichment plant
The Brazilian government has refused to allow U.N. nuclear inspectors to examine a facility for enriching uranium under construction near Rio de Janeiro, according to Brazilian officials and diplomats in Vienna, home of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Brazil maintains that the facility will produce low-enriched uranium for use in power plants, not the highly enriched material used in nuclear weapons. Nonetheless, Brazil refuses to let IAEA inspectors see equipment in the plant, citing a need to protect proprietary information.
(Washington Post April 4, 2004)
IAEA wants access to Brazil's uranium enrichment plant
The U.N. nuclear watchdog is negotiating with the Brazilian government to ensure that a new uranium enrichment facility due to begin operating next year is properly safeguarded. Brazil has no safeguards agreement with the IAEA covering the facility, which is still under construction. This means the IAEA has no official right to inspect it when it goes live.
(Reuters Dec. 19, 2003)
Brazil makes further announcement to begin uranium enrichment shortly
On Oct. 6, 2003, the minister of Science and Technology, Roberto Amaral, announced that Brazil will start enrichment of uranium from 2004. It is the goal of the government to achieve by 2010 production of 60% of the enriched uranium required by the nuclear power plants Angra 1 and 2. From 2014, Brazil could become an exporter and could also supply the fuel for a possible Angra 3 unit, on which no decision has been made yet. (O Estado 6 Oct. 2003)
Brazil opens Resende enrichment plant
From 2003, Brazil hopes to cover some 95 percent of its uranium enrichment requirements with the new Resende enrichment plant, which was opened on December 11, 2002.
(Reuters Dec. 11, 2002)
Startup of Resende enrichment plant deferred further
INB - the state-owned uranium mining and enrichment company - expects to begin enriching uranium in early 2003. A company spokesman said INB 'should begin the first round of production as early as January or as late as March'.
(WNA News Briefing 02.46)
Resende enrichment plant to start commercial operation
INB will start commercial production of enriched uranium at Resende in July 2002. The initial production will be 20 tonnes per year. (O Globo May 26, 2002)
Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) was expected to sign a contract with the Brazilian navy to build a 100 000 SWU/year gas centrifuge enrichment plant at Resende. The Brazilian government has reportedly agreed to pay 250 million reals (US$130 million) to fund the project. The plant would supply about half the enrichment services needed by Angra-1 and -2, and Brazil currently has no plans to export enrichment services. INB plans to have the first 20 000 SWU/year cascade in operation by the end of 2001. (UI News Briefing 00.29)
South Africa
South Africa releases draft Nuclear Energy Policy and Strategy for public comment
On August 13, 2007, the Department of Minerals and Energy released its draft Nuclear Energy Policy and Strategy for public comment.
"Government, through Necsa, shall undertake and lead the
development of uranium conversion capabilities as part of the beneficiation of uranium. Private sector participation in the conversion process will be promoted."
"Government, through Necsa, shall investigate the viability of developing its own uranium enrichment capabilities and will simultaneously actively seek to acquire established uranium enrichment technologies to ensure security of supply."
"Government, through Necsa shall design a strategy to develop nuclear fuel fabrication capabilities and will in the intervening period actively seek to obtain established fuel fabrication technologies to ensure security of supply."
> Download Nuclear Energy Policy and Strategy for the Republic of South Africa, Draft for Public Comment, July 2007 (231k PDF)
South Africa is expected to begin enriching uranium by 2017, Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa CEO Rob Adam said on June 25, 2007.
"It could even be in five years, but definitely in ten years' time," he said.
South Africa, which dismantled its nuclear weapons programme during the 1990s, indicated in 2006 that it was considering enriching uranium for peaceful purposes.
However, Department of Minerals and Energy director-general Sandile Nogxina stressed that any uranium enrichment taking place in the country would be under government control.
A private company could have equity in an enriching initiative, but not a controlling stake, he said.
(Mining Weekly June 25, 2007)
China · India · Iran · Japan · Kazakhstan · Pakistan · Russia
AECL, China conclude agreement on development of CANDU fuel from spent light water reactor fuel
On Nov. 3, 2008, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) formalized an advanced nuclear fuel development agreement with China's Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Co. (TQNPC), China North Nuclear Fuel Corporation and Nuclear Power Institute of China.
The agreement is to jointly develop the technology for the use of uranium
recovered from the spent fuel of light water reactors in China, and to be used
in the CANDU reactors in China, located southwest of Shanghai. The planned
development program will involve scientists and engineers from Canada and
China but would not be implemented in Canada.
Russia to set up another gas centrifuge uranium enrichment plant in China
On May 23, 2008, Chinese and Russian officials signed a $1 billion deal to have Moscow build a nuclear fuel enrichment plant in China and supply uranium.
The deal calls for Russia to build a $500 million nuclear fuel enrichment plant and supply semi-enriched uranium worth at least $500 million.
(AP May 23, 2008)
Russia signed an agreement with China to set up another gas centrifuge enrichment facility in China with an annual capacity of 500,000 separative work units (SWU), a Tenex spokesman said.
Under a 1992 deal, Russia helped China set up two centrifuge facilities with an annual capacity of 200,000 and 300,000 SWU respectively in Hanzhong, a city about 900 km southwest of Beijing. (Gulf Times Nov. 7, 2007)
China's Yibin nuclear fuel fabrication facility has reached an annual output of 400 tonnes per year, according to the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).
(WNN Oct. 30, 2008)
Hanau MOX fuel plant equipment to be used for manufacture of fast breeder fuel
China is planning to use the equipment from the never operated Siemens Hanau MOX fuel production plant for a planned MOX fuel plant at Lanzhou. The German government has made no decision yet on an export license for the equipment, however.
The MOX fuel is to be used in fast breeder reactors to be built. A 65 MW fast breeder research reactor is currently under construction at Fangshan near Beijing and shall be operable from 2007. The plutonium required for the MOX fuel is to be recovered from the spent fuel of China's eight conventional reactors, though a commercial reprocessing plant not yet exists. The excess plutonium to be breeded in the fast breeder reactor would be highly weapons grade. (Frankfurter Rundschau March 13/16, 2004)
First stage of Lanzhou centrifuge enrichment plant completed early
The third line of a centrifuge enrichment plant in China is finished, two years ahead of the date stipulated in the 1992 contract between Chinese and Russian nuclear industry, according to the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy. The new plant is located about 25 km north of Lanzhou, in Gansu Province, and has a capacity of 500,000 SWU per year. The first and second stages of the plant, located in Hanjun, in the same province, were put into operation in March 1998 and April 2000 respectively. Furthermore, another 500,000 SWU per year is to be added subsequently at Lanzhou.
(Platts Nov. 12, 2001; Nuclear Fuel May 17, 1999)
India develops fourth generation uranium enrichment gas centrifuges
As part of India's strategic programme, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has developed fourth generation uranium enrichment gas centrifuges with an output of more than 10 times the earlier design, a top BARC official has said.
"An experimental cascade of the fourth generation design is in operation at BARC and will soon be ready for induction at the Rare Materials Plant (RMP) in Ratnahalli near Mysore," BARC director Sreekumar Banerjee said.
"The Third generation design with 5 times more output than earlier designs are presently being inducted at RMP," he said.
(Business Standard Oct. 31, 2008 )
The first consignment of 40 cylinders of enriched uranium from Russia has arrived at the Koodankulam atomic power station in Tamil Nadu on May 28, 2008, station project director K C Purohit told reporters.
He said another batch of 163 cylinders would arrive from Russia in the coming months.
The enriched uranium fuel is in the form of final fuel assembly and it will be loaded into a reactor by October 2008, he said.
He said works on two Russian reactors called VVER-1000 were progressing and it was likely to be commissioned by January 2009.
(PTI May 30, 2008)
Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC)
Blast in Hyderabad Nuclear Fuel Complex
On Nov. 17, 2002, a blast occurred in the chemical plant used for uranium purification. The top lid of the process plant hit the asbestos sheet roof, which fell off. Seven persons were working in the plant at the time, but no one was injured. Uranium-bearing liquid contained in the plant spilled onto the ground and collected in a pit. It was later taken back into the process plant.
After the blast, the Health Physics Unit of the NFC monitored the area and declared there was no airborne activity and people were allowed to resume their work in the other plants at the NFC. (Rediff Nov. 18, 2002)
On April 22, 2003, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) permitted the resumption of operation of the wet section of Natural Uranium Oxide Fuel Plant (NUOFP) of the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) in Hyderabad. The Board had suspended its operation on November 20, 2003, pending inquiry into the reasons of a chemical explosion.
A specialist investigation committee of the AERB confirmed that the explosion was due to what is known as "Red Oil Reaction" — uncontrolled chemical reaction involving hot organic liquid and aqueous nitrate solution. The committee observed that the necessary conditions such as presence of nitrate, organic liquids and temperature for causing the reaction existed in the evaporator at the wet section of the plant at the time of the incident. The NFC management has now modified the process to exclude the evaporation step. (The Hindu, April 23, 2003)
IAEA Board requests Director General to refer Iran to Security Council
On Feb. 4, 2006, the IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution requesting the Director General to report to the UN Security Council all IAEA reports and resolutions, as adopted, relating to the implementation of safeguards in Iran.
> Download Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran,
Resolution adopted on 4 February 2006 (PDF)
IAEA resolution demands Iran suspend uranium enrichment
A 35-nation meeting of the U.N. atomic watchdog agency on Sep. 18, 2004, demanded that Iran suspend all aspects of uranium enrichment, setting an indirect November, 2004, deadline for Tehran to heed its conditions.
A resolution approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors said it "considers it necessary" that Iran freeze all uranium enrichment and related programs.
It also said it "strongly urges" Iran to meet all demands by the agency in its investigation of the country's nearly two decades of clandestine nuclear activity, including unrestricted access to sites, information and personnel that can shed light on still unanswered questions on whether Tehran was interested in the atom for nuclear weapons.
(AP Sep. 18, 2004)
> Download Resolution GOV/2004/79 (Sep. 18, 2004) (PDF)
Iran signs accord allowing unannounced inspections of nuclear facilities
On December 18, 2003, Iran signed a key accord opening its nuclear facilities to unfettered and unannounced inspections. The agreement, tacked on to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, requires Iran to submit to intrusive and surprise U.N. inspections of its nuclear complexes and research facilities.
(AP Dec. 18, 2003)
Iran used Urenco centrifuge design
Iran has acknowledged to the U.N. its uranium enrichment centrifuge program is based on a European firm's designs that appear identical to ones used in Pakistan's quest for an atom bomb, diplomats say.
Tehran, accused by Washington of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, told the U.N. nuclear agency it got the blueprints from a "middleman" whose identity the agency had not determined, a Western diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
It was unclear where the "middleman" got the drawings. The U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said in a report Iran told the IAEA it got centrifuge drawings "from a foreign intermediary around 1987."
Several diplomats familiar with the IAEA said the blueprints were of a machine by the Dutch enrichment unit of the British-Dutch-German consortium Urenco.
(Reuters Nov. 27, 2003)
IAEA Board adopts resolution on Iran
Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran,
Resolution adopted by the Board on 26 November 2003, GOV/2003/81 (PDF)
Report by the Director General to the Board, 10 November 2003, GOV/2003/75 (PDF)
On Oct. 21, 2003, Iran agreed to suspend uranium enrichment and give inspectors unrestricted access to its nuclear facilities as demanded by the IAEA, a step that could ease the standoff over fears Iran is seeking to build nuclear weapons.
(AP Oct. 21, 2003)
Aerial view: Google Maps 
On Aug. 8, 2005, Iran resumed uranium conversion at its facility near Isfahan under IAEA supervision, a move EU officials have warned will probably see its nuclear case sent to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.
Iran had agreed to suspend all nuclear fuel work in November 2004 as part of a deal with the European Union while both sides explored a long-term arrangement for Iran's nuclear programme. But, on Aug. 6, 2005, Iran rejected an EU proposal offering it economic and political incentives to halt nuclear fuel work for good.
(Reuters Aug. 8, 2005)
Iran has inaugurated a conversion plant for uranium in the central city of Isfahan, Iranian nuclear officials said on March 27, 2004. The facility began operation "some time ago," a senior official at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said on condition of anonymity.
(AP March 27, 2004)
Some information on the processes and capacities of the project was given by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Vice President for Nuclear Fuel Production M. Ghannadi-Maragheh at the WNA Annual Symposium 3-5 September 2003 in London:
- Conversion of 300 t/a of U3O8 to 480 t/a AUC (ammonium uranyl carbonate).
- Conversion of 480 t/a AUC via UO2 to 282 t/a UF4. About 95% of the UF4 will be used to produce UF6 and 5% to produce uranium ingot.
- Conversion of 265 t/a of UF4 to 285 t/a UF6.
- Conversion of about 250t of depleted UF6 to 223 t/a depleted UF4 to "simplify waste management".
- Production of F2 by electrolyzing of HF and KHF2.
- Production of 11.3 t/a natural, and 34 t/a enriched UO2 powder.
A Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) is close to inauguration at Isfahan in central Iran, according to Gholamreza Aqazadeh, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation. (Reuters Feb. 12, 2003)
Aerial view: Google Maps
"I am proud to announce that we have started enriching uranium to the 3.5 percent level," Gholamreza Aghazadeh, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI ), said on April 11, 2006, adding that the pilot enrichment plant in Natanz, south of Tehran, had started working on April 10, 2006.
Influential former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said earlier on April 11, 2006, that Iran was producing enriched uranium from a cascade of 164 centrifuges.
(Reuters Apr. 11, 2006)
International inspectors visiting Iran were shown a small network of centrifuges for enriching uranium, spurring concerns that Iran is making headway in its suspected program to develop nuclear weapons. The site in question is near the city of Natanz [located between Isfahan and Kashan in central Iran]. (New York Times Feb. 23, 2003)
First steps have been taken to build an uranium centrifuge enrichment plant at Kashan in central Iran, according to Gholamreza Aqazadeh, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation. (Reuters Feb. 12, 2003)
> View details on Natanz enrichment plant: ISIS · GlobalSecurity.org
Aerial view: Google Maps
Some information on the project was given by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Vice President for Nuclear Fuel Production M. Ghannadi-Maragheh at the WNA Annual Symposium 3-5 September 2003 in London:
The projected annual production capacity of the Fuel Manufacturing Plant (FMP) is 30-35 metric tonnes in the preliminary phase, extendable to 120 tonnes of fuel production for nuclear power plants and 20 tonnes for research reactors.
A plant to produce fuel casings for uranium is close to completion in Isfahan in central Iran, according to Gholamreza Aqazadeh, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation. (Reuters Feb. 12, 2003)
Japanese government releases first detailed English translation of plutonium holdings report
In response to a request from Citizens' Nuclear Information Center (CNIC) , for the first time the Japanese government has published a detailed English translation of its plutonium holdings report (as at 31 December 2006). The data includes input-output balance sheets.
The latest report includes data for the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant for
the first time. Active testing using spent fuel began at Rokkasho on 31
March 2006 and the first plutonium-uranium mixed oxide product (MOX)
was produced on 16 November 2006.
> Download The Current Situation of Plutonium Management in Japan, 18 September 2007 (88k PDF - in English, Atomic Energy Commission)
Plutonium separated from Japanese spent fuel continues to be piled up
On 23 February 2007 the Federation of Electric Power Companies (FEPCO) published a compilation of Japan's electric power companies' "plutonium utilization plans" for the 2007 Fiscal Year (1 April 2007 - 31 March 2008).
Once again no indication is given of by when the plutonium separated at the Rokkasho reprocessing plant will be used up. The only conclusion that can be drawn is that the plutonium separated at Rokkasho will simply increase the size of Japan's already huge plutonium stockpile (43.1 tons at last count).
> View: Japan's Plutonium Use Plan, 2007 Fiscal Year (CNIC)
Japan shelves laser uranium enrichment method
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
has decided to shelve its research and development on laser uranium
enrichment technology used to produce fuel for nuclear power,
ministry officials said on Oct. 2, 2001. The decision reflects questions about the technology's applicability and economic feasibility. Since the late 1980s, the government has spent more than 50 billion yen and the power industry over 15 billion yen on developing laser
uranium enrichment technology.
The ministry will turn its focus to enhancing the efficiency of the
existing centrifugation technology. The uranium enrichment factory of Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. in Rokkasho village, Aomori Prefecture -- scheduled to be expanded in 2010 with laser uranium enrichment technology -- plans to use an improved centrifugation method.
(Kyodo Oct 2, 2001)
JNFL starts test of advanced centrifuge cascade
On November 12, 2007, Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited started the cascade test using uranium hexafluoride at its Centrifuge Test Facility.
JNFL intends to introduce this new centrifuge machine, replacing the existing machine around 2010, and bring the capacity up to 1,500 t SWU/year, within about 10 years time.
Court rejects appeal by residents opposed to Rokkasho uranium enrichment plant
On May 9, 2006, a Japanese high court rejected an appeal by 77 residents demanding that the government revoke a decision to allow construction of a uranium enrichment plant in northern Japan, a court official said.
The Sendai High Court upheld a lower court ruling and dismissed the appeal, said court spokesman Hiroki Kadowaki, who declined to provide any details of the ruling.
(AP May 9, 2006)
Court dismisses suit against Rokkasho enrichment plant
On March 15, 2002, the Aomori District Court dismissed a suit filed almost 13 years ago by citizens seeking a revocation of government approval for a uranium enrichment plant in the village of Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, ruling the government's safety check was appropriate.
Presiding Judge Tsutomu Yamazaki dismissed the plaintiffs' claim that the uranium plant should not have been approved because the facility could be vulnerable to massive earthquakes, plane crashes and major nuclear accidents.
(Kyodo March 15, 2002)
JNFL produces first mixed oxides for MOX fuel
On Nov. 2, 2006, Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd (JNFL) announced it has produced first uranium-plutonium mixed oxides in its Rokkasho reprocessing plant in Aomori Prefecture. The mixed oxides will be further processed into MOX fuel.
CNIC protests Aomori Gov's signing of agreement on construction of Rokkasho-mura MOX plant
Citizens' Nuclear Information Center protests Aomori Prefecture's decision to sign the basic cooperative site agreement for a MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant and demands that it rescind the agreement. The agreement has been signed between Aomori Prefecture, Rokkasho Village, Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd (JNFL) and the Federation of Electric Power Companies (FEPCO). (CNIC Apr. 19, 2005)
Aomori government approves Rokkashomura MOX plant
On April 14, 2005, Aomori Gov. Shingo Mimura accepted Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd.'s request to build a plant to process plutonium-uranium mixed oxide fuel in the village of Rokkasho.
Mimura said Aomori Prefecture and Rokkasho will each receive 980 million
yen [US$ 9 million] per year in central government subsidies for two years beginning fiscal 2006 in return for hosting the facility. The subsidies are in
line with electricity provision laws.
The MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant will be built within the grounds of the existing Rokkasho nuclear spent-fuel reprocessing plant at an estimated construction cost of 120 billion yen [US$ 1.1 billion]. The two plants will be connected underground for the delivery of plutonium and uranium.
(Japan Times 15 Apr 2005)
Aomori government to approve Rokkashomura MOX plant
Aomori Gov. Shingo Mimura will approve a request from Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. to construct the nation's first commercial plant to process mixed uranium and plutonium oxide (MOX) nuclear fuel in Rokkashomura in the prefecture, sources said.
The governor is expected to sign the basic agreement by the end of April 2005.
At the plant, MOX will be reprocessed to be used in plutonium-thermal nuclear power generation. MOX will be extracted from spent nuclear fuel at a reprocessing plant currently under construction in the village.
About 130 tons of MOX are expected to be produced annually at the new plant.
It will cost about 120 billion yen [US$ 1.1 billion] to construct the MOX facility, which will be built next to the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant.
(Yomiuri Shimbun Apr. 7, 2005)
Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. seeks licence to build MOX fuel plant at Rokkasho-mura
Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. (JNFL) is seeking a license to build a plutonium fuel fabrication plant at Rokkashomura, the utility-owned company said. Construction work on the plant would begin in 2004 and be completed in 2009, assuming both the Aomori Prefecture and Rokkashomura approve the project. (Platts Aug. 27, 2001)
Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited to build MOX fuel plant at Rokkasho-mura
On Nov. 10, 2000, Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) announced the project to construct a MOX fuel fabrication plant adjacent to JNFL's Rokkasho-mura reprocessing plant (currently under construction). The fuel plant will have a maximum capacity of 130 tonnes of MOX fuel per year. Construction costs are estimated at 120 billion Yen (about US$ 1.1 billion).
On September 30, 1999, a criticality accident occured at the Tokai nuclear fuel plant in Japan.
> see extra page
Kazakhstan to sell nuclear fuel to China, Japan, and Europe by 2013
Kazatomprom will start selling nuclear fuel to China by 2013. Kazakh-made nuclear fuel will also be exported to Japan, Europe, and possibly the U.S., according to Kazatomprom head Mukhtar Dzhakishev.
(Bloomberg May 31, 2007)
Cameco and Kazatomprom establish entity for Ulba conversion plant project
Cameco Corporation and Kazatomprom are pleased to announce today that they are establishing a new legal entity, Ulba Conversion LLP, to further advance the development work of a 12,000 tonne, UF6 conversion facility at the Ulba Metallurgical plant in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. Ownership of Ulba Conversion will be Kazatomprom 51% and Cameco 49%.
Cameco and Kazatomprom have agreed to begin the first stage of the feasibility study to evaluate a conversion plant based on the results of a detailed scoping study. This first stage will be funded by the two companies based on their participating interest and is expected to be completed in the next year. Cameco will provide the technology for the conversion plant and potentially hold an interest of up to 49%.
(Cameco June 3, 2008)
Cameco and Kazatomprom to cooperate on uranium conversion plant project in Kazakhstan
On May 28, 2007, Cameco Corporation announced it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with National Atomic Company Kazatomprom to co-operate on the development of uranium conversion capacity.
Under the terms of the MOU, Cameco will work with Kazatomprom to study the feasibility of constructing a uranium conversion facility in Kazakhstan and elsewhere. Cameco would provide the technology and potentially hold an interest of up to 49%, at the company's discretion.
Ulba Metallurgical Plant
Japanese utiliy to outsource uranium reconversion to Kazakhstan
Japan's Kansai Electric Power Co. will outsource uranium reconversion, a process to convert enriched uranium hexafluoride into uranium oxide, to Kazakh state-run nuclear energy firm Kazatomprom.
The outsourcing will be made through Tokyo-based Nuclear Fuel Industries Ltd. , informed sources said.
A memorandum of understanding for the deal will be signed later in the day, the sources said.
Kazatomprom is expected to launch uranium reconversion for Kansai Electric at a plant in Kazakhstan in 2010, the sources said.
(Japan Corporate News Network Dec. 26, 2007)
Ulba Metallurgical Plant starts downblending of weapons-grade uranium
On October 8th, 2005, a U.S.-based nonproliferation group and Kazakh officials unveiled a project to eliminate about three tons of weapons-grade nuclear fuel which could be used to make some two dozen atomic bombs.
Under the project, about 6,400 pounds (2,900 kg) of nuclear fuel containing highly enriched uranium from a mothballed Soviet-built nuclear reactor in western Kazakhstan will be blended down at the Ulba Metallurgical Plant in Eastern Kazakhstan so that it cannot be used to make bombs. The uranium, less than 5 percent enriched, will be used for fuel for civilian reactors.
The $2 million project was initiated by the Nuclear Threat Initiative , a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the threat of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The U.S. group and the Kazakh nuclear industry shared the costs.
(AP Oct. 8, 2005)
U.S. DOE, GNF, and RWE Nukem to assist Ulba plant in Oskemen in uranium extraction
"Under the project, a former nuclear weapons plant in Kazahkstan will develop its capability to separate low-enriched uranium from uranium concentrates with assistance from two private U.S. companies and Brookhaven National Laboratory. The uranium will then be made available as a power source to civilian power reactors throughout the world."
> DOE release Jan. 30, 2002
Pakistan's uranium enrichment facility will be under IAEA safeguards
The uranium conversion and enrichment facility planned by Pakistan will be under IAEA safeguards, Chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Anwar Ali told the the 51st General Conference of International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. He said Pakistan has chalked out a plan to expand power generation to meet the demand of its growing economy and the share of nuclear power in the energy mix to 8800 MW by the year 2030.
(PPI Sep. 18, 2007)
Pakistan plans to build nuclear fuel facilities to achieve self-reliance for nuclear fuel fabrication
Pakistan has decided to build a $1.192 billion (Rs72.2 billion) facility to develop the capacity to manufacture the full cycle of nuclear fuel and nuclear power plants.
Dawn has learnt that the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) will set up a Pakistan Nuclear Power Fuel Complex (PNPFC) to attain the capability to manufacture pressurised water reactors (PWRs) and nuclear power plants (NPPs).
Knowledgeable sources said Pakistan took the decision because of denial of technology from the suppliers to all except the favoured countries.
They said the complex would comprise a Chemical Processing Plant, Fuel Fabrication Plant, Nuclear Power Fuel Testing Project and Seamless Tube Plant-1.
Being an indigenous facility, the complex will assure regular supply of nuclear fuel to PWRs. It will cost over Rs36.1 billion to the national exchequer.
The Chemical Processing Plant, which will cost Rs28 billion, is meant to produce nuclear fuel and structural materials and natural UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) gas from the commercially available yellow cake (U3O8) and convert depleted UF6 gas into depleted uranium metal.
The plant will act as a roadmap for ultimately achieving the capability of fulfilling one-thirds of the total fuel requirement needed for the NPPs, planned to be constructed by 2030. Initially, the PAEC is expected to construct six to eight NPPs indigenously.
The Fuel Fabrication Plant is proposed to be built at a cost of Rs3.7 billion and its prime objective is to develop capability for indigenous fabrication of fuel assembly for fulfilling the major share of fuel requirements for existing and future NPPs.
The PAEC has informed higher authorities that an indigenous Fuel Fabrication Plant is required to ensure reliable and uninterrupted fuel supply "which may otherwise be affected any time because of international politics and pressure".
At present, the government is importing nuclear fuel from China for the 300MW Chashma Nuclear Power Plant-2. The fabrication cost is about $486 million and the proposed Fuel Fabrication Plant will enable the country to achieve self-reliance for PWR fuel fabrication technology for the assured supply of nuclear power to existing and future NPPs.
(Dawn Aug. 8, 2007)
> see also Russia (Europe)
> see also Downblending of Russian HEU for use in U.S. nuclear power plants
> see also Tails upgrading
TVEL aims to sell nuclear fuel in the US market by 2014
Russia's TVEL aims to sell fuel in the US market by 2014 in cooperation with General Electric, TVEL President Yuri Olenin told a press conference, according to the Nuclear.ru Internet news agency.
Olenin was quoted as saying agreements would be signed in January-February
2008 to qualify TVEL's TVS-kvadrat fuel assembly with General Electric, as
well as with an unnamed European company for deployment in the western
European market.
The TVS-kvadrat fuel would be fabricated in the US under license, he said. The
TVS-kvadrat is a square fuel assembly design, developed for Western reactors
from the traditional hexagonal assembly used in Russian-design reactors.
Olenin predicted that TVEL's share of the world nuclear fuel market would rise
from the current 17% to 30% in 2010.
(Platts Dec. 20, 2007)
Japan to contract Russia for enrichment of recycled uranium
The Japanese government and Japan's major electric power companies have entered the final stage of negotiations with Russia for consigning the enrichment of uranium to Atomenergoprom, or Atomprom, which is to be established as Russia's state-run monopoly for the nuclear energy industry, according to sources close to the deal.
The Japanese side plans to initially consign the enrichment of uranium that was recovered from spent fuel rods and has been stored in Britain.
Though electric power companies had consigned the recovery of uranium from spent fuel to firms in Britain and France, enrichment of the recovered uranium has not progressed partly because of high costs.
The amount of recovered uranium deposited by Japan with the two countries has ballooned to 6,400 tons.
In the future, the Japanese side plans to consign to Russia the enrichment of natural uranium produced in mines to which Japan has obtained the rights in Russia and Kazakhstan.
The Japanese and Russian governments aim to reach a basic agreement over the deal at a summit level meeting by the summer, and will also negotiate the signing of a bilateral nonproliferation accord to prevent nuclear material from getting into third parties' hands, which is essential to consigning the works, the sources said.
(The Yomiuri Shimbun Feb. 22, 2007)
Russian and Japanese NGOs are opposing the project.
> View Statement by Japanese and Russian Environmental Groups: Consequences of Japan-Russia-Uranium Enrichment Deal, Feb. 28, 2007 (Green Action)
Kazatomprom to obtain share in Russian enrichment plants in exchange for uranium deliveries?
> See here
U.S. and Russia sign liability protocol for plutonium disposition program
View here
Cogema to supply U.S. DOE with MOX technology for Russia
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will contract with Cogema to transfer mixed oxide (MOX) fuel fabrication technology to Russia, DOE announced. Under the contract, which has yet to be negotiated, Cogema would provide "proprietary intellectual property" and "limited technical support" to the U.S. DOE for construction of a mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel fabrication facility in Russia. The MOX fuel will be fabricated using some 34 metric tonnes of former Russian weapons plutonium as part of the U.S.-Russian plutonium disposition program.
(Platts Nov. 12, 2004)
> View Presolicitation notice, Russian MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility - Transfer of Cogema Technology, DE-AC02-05CH11253, Nov. 12, 2004
Aerial view: Google Maps
Aerial view: Google Maps
Aerial view: Google Maps
Aerial view: Google Maps
Marina Rikhvanova received the 2008 Goldman Environmental Prize for Asia for her fight against a pipeline project near Lake Baikal and the International enrichment center project near Angarsk.
> View Announcement Apr. 13, 2008 · Details on Marina Rikhvanova (Goldman Prize)
On August 1, 2007, twenty participants of the eighth all-Russian antinuclear camp occupied the unfinished office building for the Kirov area in the center of Irkutsk and declared it the "Baikal nuclear-free republic" (BBR). They demanded the stop of the plans for the enrichment center in Angarsk and the halt of all imports of radioactive wastes, including depleted uranium. After several hours, the police stopped the protest and interviewed the participants at the Irkutsk police station.
(Ecodefense, RIA Novosti, August 1, 2007)
Three environmental groups have started setting up a new camp in Siberia to protest against nuclear waste disposal at a local chemicals plant and across Russia. (RIA Novosti July 26, 2007)
On July 21, 2007, a participant of the ecological protest camp held against the International enrichment center project at Angarsk was killed and seven others were injured during an attack on the camp. A criminal investigation has been opened in connection with the attack. (AP July 21, 2007)
The uranium enrichment capacity of the Angarsk Electrolysis-Chemical Combine is to increase almost 300% by 2015 due to the implementation of a development program by the plant and a joint project with Kazakhstan, Federal Atomic Energy Agency Director Sergei Kirienko told journalists in Angarsk.
(Interfax June 22, 2007)
An ecological protest camp against the International enrichment center project at Angarsk is organized by Baikal Ecological Wave and Autonomous Action of Irkutsk.
The protest camp will start on July 15, 2007.
On May 10, 2007, Russia and Kazakhstan signed a deal on an international uranium enrichment center to be set up at Angarsk. The center will come on stream in 2013 and offer uranium enrichment services to countries interested in developing nuclear energy for civilian purposes.
(RIA Novosti May 10, 2007)
On Dec. 3, 2006, more than 200 participants held a demonstration at Irkutsk against the establishment of an international enrichment center at Angarsk. The event was organized by Baikal Movement, Baikal Environmental Wave , Ecodefense , and the Irkutsk chapter of the National Bolshevik Party (NBP).
The participants also protested the import of depleted uranium hexafluoride from Western Europe for re-enrichment at Angarsk.
(Baikal Environmental Wave, Dec. 3, 2006)
Another demonstration was held at Irkutsk on Dec. 16, 2006. Some 80 people, who gathered for the rally organized by the non- governmental organizations Baikal Ecological Wave and Baikal Movement, called for ensuring the environmental safety of the region in general and Lake Baikal in particular. (Interfax Dec. 16, 2006)
Russia is establishing a uranium enrichment center on the premises of the Angarsk Electrolysis Chemical Combine. Rosatom chief Sergei Kiriyenko said in an earlier statement that the center would begin operation in 2007.
Kazakhstan has made a decision to join Russia's initiative to set up an international nuclear-cycle center under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Russian territory.
(Kazatomprom Nov. 28, 2006)
As part of Turkey's plans to develop its nuclear potential the Turkish Energy Ministry is moving toward plans to position the country as a regional center for uranium enrichment, sources revealed on Jan. 14, 2008.
The issue will be discussed at a nuclear energy meeting that will be held in Istanbul on Jan. 18, 2008. In addition to Tomihiro Taniguchi, the No. 2 at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), top-level officials from America, Russia, France and the United Kingdom will reportedly be attending the meeting.
(Turkish Daily News Jan. 15, 2008)
Plan for enrichment plant in Australia floated
The company Nuclear Fuel Australia Limited is studying the feasibility of a uranium enrichment plant which could be operational by 2015. The plant - modelled on Urenco's National Enrichment Facility in the U.S. - would cost A$2.5 billion to build, with construction able to take place from 2010-15. (AAP June 14, 2007)
Urenco interested in building enrichment plant in Australia
Urenco is interested in building an enrichment plant in Australia, saying Australia would be a good base for servicing the growing Asia-Pacific market for nuclear power fuel. Urenco would be interested in assessing the economics of building an enrichment plant in Australia if it were invited to do so.
Areva, however, ruled out interest in investing in uranium enrichment in Australia, saying it made little commercial sense unless the nation was prepared to go for nuclear energy.
(Australian May 27, 2006)
Uranium enrichment in Australia?
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has opened a new front in the nuclear debate, saying Australia needs to consider whether it should enrich uranium.
(The Age May 21, 2006)
> See also USEC: Development of Laser-based enrichment technology
> View Silex's ASX announcements
Silex website hacked
On July 2, 2008, several pages of Silex' website were hacked. Hopefully, the company protects its classified enrichment technology better than its website!
GE signs agreement with Silex to develop laser-based uranium enrichment technology
GE Energy's nuclear business has signed an exclusive agreement with Silex Systems Limited , an Australia-based technology innovator, to license the technology and develop the company's next generation low enriched uranium manufacturing process in the United States.
The transaction is subject to, among other things, governmental approvals and regulatory controls on the design, construction and operation of the process.
The agreement provides for a phased approach to the development of the Silex technology and the potential construction of a test loop, pilot plant, and a full-scale, commercial enrichment facility. These operations would be built at GE's existing nuclear energy headquarters in Wilmington, N.C. or another suitable location in the United States.
(GE May 22, 2006)
On October 4, 2006, Silex announced that GE Energy's nuclear business and Silex Systems Limited have received the U.S. government authorizations required to proceed with an agreement granting GE exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Silex's laser-based uranium enrichment technology.
> See also: GE Silex laser isotope separation enrichment demonstration facility project in Wilmington, North Carolina
Silex announces completion of Uranium Enrichment Direct Measurement Program
"Silex Systems Limited is pleased to announce that the SILEX Uranium Enrichment Direct Measurement (DM) Program has been successfully completed. The results achieved support the attractive economics of earlier estimates. [...] With the completion of the DM program, attention is now focused on securing an agreement with an industry partner to assist in the scale-up of development activities leading to the commercial deployment of our technology." (Silex May 19, 2005)
Greenpeace Australia reveals government support for SILEX uranium enrichment technology
On Nov. 30, 2004, Greenpeace Australia released a report exposing the Australian Government's support of the classified SILEX uranium enrichment technology and revealing the nuclear proliferation risk of this technology.
> Download Secrets, Lies and Uranium Enrichment, The classified Silex project at Lucas Heights , Greenpeace, November 2004 (1.6M PDF)
Silex completes silicon laser enrichment pilot plant, continues work on uranium enrichment
Silex announces the completion and commissioning of its silicon laser enrichment pilot plant. With the pilot plant, Silex hopes "to demonstrate satisfactory economics for the process". Silicon enrichment is believed to be of value for the computer chip industry, allowing for higher heat dissipation in the chips.
Silex furthermore continues to study the economics of uranium laser enrichment. A related program is expected to be completed by early 2005.
(Silex July 5, 2004)
USEC ends funding of research on SILEX enrichment process and focuses on centrifuge technology
On April 30, 2003, USEC Inc. announced that it is ending its funding for research and development of the SILEX laser-based uranium enrichment process. USEC has been funding R&D on the SILEX process since 1996, when the Company signed an agreement with Silex Systems Limited in Australia. USEC will now focus all of its advanced technology resources on the demonstration and deployment of USEC’s American Centrifuge uranium enrichment technology. (USEC April 30, 2003)
USEC confirms continued support for development of Silex laser enrichment technology
USEC Inc, the US-based partner in the SILEX uranium enrichment
development program, has confirmed its commitment to continue to
support the program despite USEC's announcement regarding the deployment of
US centrifuge technology. (Silex June 20, 2002)
In spite of these assurances, however, shares in Silex Systems dived more than 40 per cent on June 20, 2002. (The Age June 21, 2002)
SILEX uranium enrichment technology classified
On 20 June 2001, Silex Systems Ltd (Silex) announced that its laser-based SILEX uranium enrichment technology has been officially classified by both the U.S. and Australian governments.
The new SILEX technology (Separation of Isotopes by Laser EXcitation) is being developed jointly by Silex and US company
USEC Inc.
