IAEA discussed innovations in the uranium production cycle

On June 6-7, 2022, the IAEA hosted a Technical Meeting to collect and summarize information on innovations in the uranium production cycle. The participants of the event gathered to exchange, disseminate and summarize information on the latest innovations in the uranium production cycle, which are being investigated or applied in order to make future deposits with low uranium content economically, technically and socially feasible.

During the meeting, the issues of advanced methods of uranium mining and hydrometallurgical processing for the production of uranium ore concentrate, innovations in uranium conversion and enrichment, as well as environmental management for existing and promising uranium ore deposits and hydrometallurgical processing enterprises were considered.

During the Technical Meeting, Yuliya Chernyakhovskaya, Deputy Director General for Nuclear Infrastructure of Rusatom Service JSC, made a report on the topic: “Nuclear Infrastructure Development for Activities Associated with Exploration, Mining and Milling, in which she spoke about the main features of the development of nuclear infrastructure for the initial stage of the nuclear fuel cycle (hereinafter referred to as NFC) and methods for their solution with the assistance of Rusatom Service JSC.

“In the light of the forthcoming publication of new IAEA requirements “Milestones in the Development of a National Nuclear Infrastructure for NFC”, “Assessment of the State of the National Infrastructure for the Development of Uranium Mining”, “Guidelines for the Preparation and Conduct of an Integrated Review of NFC” and others, it is important to assess and further develop the nuclear infrastructure (hereinafter - NI) - an integral part of projects related to the initial stage of NFC, in which such deficiencies arise as lack and/or fragmentary regulatory requirements, lack of scientific and technical support, NI development planning; cumbersome regulatory framework with duplication of licensing and regulatory requirements; project stakeholders management” - said Yulia Chernyakhovskaya in a report.

Rusatom Service JSC provides constant comprehensive support taking into account the experience of Rosatom and reference technologies for the initial stage of the nuclear fuel cycle. Thus, the developed NI will ensure the safe implementation of the project, the presence of competent personnel in the country, the availability of a project management system, environmental protection, positive public attitude and sustainable development of the country”.

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Rusatom Service JSC is part of the Electric Power Division of the Rosatom State Corporation. The company provides a full range of services and supplies to foreign VVER NPP required for operation and repair and acts as integrator of activities related to training of all personnel categories, including operational and nuclear infrastructure personnel's training, construction of training centers and their equipping, simulators supply and psychophysiological examination laboratories export. The company is present in almost all countries with operating VVER NPP outside Russia.

Rusatom Service JSC holds leading positions in the markets of China, Bulgaria and Armenia and acts as a general contractor of works for lifetime extension, implementation of scheduled preventive maintenance and upgrading the equipment at VVER NPP. - integrator for all-category staff training.

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