Uranium is the primary fuel for nuclear reactors. Uranium legacy sites stem from the 1940s to the 1990s, when uranium mining and processing facilities were developed throughout the world. As planning for end-of-life management was not common at the time, the sites were left with residues of radioactive and toxic contaminants, which can affect the health and livelihood of people in the vicinity as well as harm the environment.
Wismut has supported IAEA activities in remediating uranium legacy sites by hosting training events and workshops, and participating in expert and peer review safety missions, as well as the preparation of publications including the Safety Standards.
Under this new practical arrangement, signed on 2 April, Wismut experts will support the preparation and dissemination of specialized publications in the fields of environmental management, remediation, decommissioning of uranium mining facilities, and management of residues containing naturally occurring radioactive material from uranium production and other activities.
Furthermore, Wismut will support IAEA capacity building initiatives through nominating experts to participate in workshops, training courses and webinars. Wismut will also provide direct support to IAEA’s programmes through participating in expert missions of the Coordination Group for Uranium Legacy Sites (CGULS) and supporting the activities of the International Working Forum on Regulatory Supervision of Legacy Sites (RSLS), the IAEA Network of Environmental Management and Remediation (ENVIRONET), and the Uranium Mining Remediation Exchange Group (UMREG).
Managing Technical Director of Wismut Michael Paul said, “The agreement provides a sound base and clear guidance for joint future activities in environmental remediation as an emerging field of growing importance for restoring the trust of mining communities worldwide that sustainable resource extraction is indeed achievable.”
Read more about the IAEA’s activities in the safe remediation and safe long term management of uranium legacy sites.
