Question NW2450 to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
16 September 2022 - NW2450
Marawu, Ms TL to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Whether the Republic still has highly rich uranium which has neither been downgraded nor sent to the United States of America for safekeeping; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, the Republic still has Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) stored safely at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation SOC Limited (Necsa), which has neither been downgraded nor sent to USA for safekeeping. The material is highly secured and under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards. The IAEA continuously monitors the stored material using their Remote Monitoring System (RMS) connected 24hrs to IAEA Headquarters in Vienna and does physical verification inspections by visiting Necsa in planned and unplanned visits. This is consistent with South Africa being a signatory to the international treaties for non-proliferation of nuclear material such as the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) and Protocol Additional to the Safeguards Agreement (AP). In terms of security, it should be noted that Necsa is a National Key Point.