Rosatom fuel division to work with South Africa on radioactive waste management

Wedoany.com Report-Nov 7, the management company of Rosatom's nuclear fuel division, has signed a memorandum on cooperation with South Africa's AllWeld Nuclear, the Russian state nuclear company's press office said.

The companies plan to work together "in the area of decommissioning and management of radioactive waste," the press release said.

"The key aspects of cooperation will be development of infrastructure for radioactive waste management, including processing, storage and disposal, as well as the design and manufacture of components for equipment needed to handle tasks in this area in South Africa," the release said.

Rosatom does not currently have nuclear power projects in South Africa, but it was reported in the spring that the company is exploring a floating nuclear power plant project with the country.

South African Energy Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa said in an interview with Izvestia in late September that the country intends to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the area of nuclear technology.

The countries already cooperate on nuclear energy at the level of the International Atomic Energy Agency, including on the development of technology and small modular reactors, which are considered a new achievement in nuclear energy, Ramokgopa said. Therefore, a platform already exists and South Africa wants to develop it in future, since it only has one nuclear plant, he said.

Asked by the newspaper whether South Africa is prepared to build a nuclear power plant with Rosatom on its territory, the minister said the country is open to all who are able to offer the best solution that it can afford.