Question NW3 to the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Regulation
31 July 2024 - NW3
Zungula, Mr V to ask the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Regulation
(1) Whether the Republic is still in possession of its highly enriched uranium (HEU) stockpile; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of (a) the (i) enrichment levels and (ii) current estimated value of the uranium stockpile and (b) how the Republic ensures the long-term sustainability and reliability of its uranium stockpile, particularly in terms of (i) mining, (ii) processing and (iii) enrichment capabilities; (2) Whether there has been any attempts in the past six years by any country to move the Republic towards downgrading its HEU; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) by which countries were such attempts made and (b) what was his and/or the Government’s response in each case?
Reply:
1. Yes, the HEU stockpiles are kept and declared to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as per the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA), INFCIRC/394
a) (i) The enrichment level is classified information
(ii) See (a)(i) above.
b) The Department is in the process of developing strategy for critical minerals. The long-term sustainability of any minerals will be considered in the context of that strategy.
2. No request has been made by any country in the past six years, for the Republic to downgrade its HEU.