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Comprehensive Management of Radioactive Waste Policy Briefing

This document outlines the policy and strategy for the safe and adequate management of radioactive waste in accordance with national objectives and international principles. It covers the status of radioactive waste management, policy principles, proposed governance structures, funding mechanisms, and challenging issues such as choosing between disposal options and capacity building. The document also highlights the need for public participation, transparency, and capacity building in the nuclear waste management sector.

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Comprehensive Management of Radioactive Waste Policy Briefing

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  1. DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS AND ENERGY BRIEFING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON THE RADIOACTIVE WASTE POLICY PROCESS25-05-2005 TB MAQUBELA Minerals and Energy for Development and Prosperity

  2. Vision Statement • Safe Management of Radioactive waste waste in accordance with National Objectives and International Principles. • Comprehensive Radwaste Governance Framework developed

  3. Nuclear Energy Act, 1999 • NEA – The Minister may make regulations prescribing the manner of management, storage and discarding of radioactive waste and irradiated nuclear fuel – In consultation with Ministers DWAF and DEAT.

  4. Objectives of the Policy and Strategy • Comprehensive Long-Term solution to Radwaste • Safe Management • Adequate Provision for Radwaste • Institutional Framework • Focus mainly on High Level Waste

  5. Sources of Radwaste • Koeberg • NECSA • Mines • Hospitals • Of this Spent fuel from Koeberg presents most challenge – Long Lived and Highly Radiotoxic

  6. Status of Radwaste Management • Waste Managed Safely • Absence of Long Term Waste Management Strategy a challenge • Public understanding lacking • Capacity for long term management needs to be improved

  7. Status of Radwaste Management • Spent Fuel (HLW) – Generated At Koeberg and at SAFARI at NECSA • Koeberg Spent fuel about 95% of spent fuel • Low and Intermediate Level Waste (LILW) from Koeberg disposed at Vaalputs • LILW from NECSA still on the Pelindaba site

  8. Policy Principles • Protection of Human Health • Protection of Environment • Protection beyond Borders • Protection of future Generations • Burden on future Generations • National Legal Framework

  9. Policy Principles cont. • Control of waste generation • Management of Interdependencies • Safety of Facilities • Polluter Pays • Transparency • Sound decision making

  10. Policy Principles cont. • Precautionary Principle • No Import or Export • Cooperative Governance • International Cooperation • Public participation • Capacity building and education

  11. Proposed Governance Structures • Executive Coordinating Committee • National Nuclear Regulator • National Radwaste Agency/NECSA Division

  12. FUNDING – Polluter Pays • ESKOM has funds for Koeberg waste and D&D • Fund at over R1.5 Billion Rand • Proposal for a National Waste Fund • Managed by Govt. appointed entity and to operate Independently • All generators to contribute to the fund.

  13. Policy Pronouncements • Vaalputs continues to be used for Low and Intermediate Level Waste • No other interim storage site for High Level Waste • Three options proposed for further investigation for High Level Waste: • Above Ground Interim Storage (AGIS) • Deep Geological Disposal (DFD) • Reprocessing Conditioning and Recycling (RCR)

  14. Attributes of Above Ground Interim Storage • Waste can be Stored offsite • Allows for development of new technologies • Least cost option but similar to “do nothing” • Not a Permanent Solution • May burden future generations

  15. Attributes of Direct Spent Fuel Disposal • Most accepted option worldwide • South African Mining experience would come in handy • Could Add to job creation in Nuclear sector • Leaves a more manageable legacy for future generations • Major Challenges on choosing a Site

  16. Attributes of Reprocessing Conditioning and Recycling • Extracts Uranium and plutonium from spent fuel • Bulk of toxicity is removed • Reduces waste volume considerably • Some Proliferation concerns • No Capacity currently in South Africa • Upfront spending required and done overseas (France and the UK)

  17. Challenging Issues • Which option out of the Three? • Funding Mechanism • Agency or NECSA • Public Participation • Capacity Building – Radwaste specific • Integration of Mining Waste

  18. Status of Policy Doc • Published for Comment • Capacity Building workshops conducted • Comments reviewed and responses prepared • Document being revised and then will be sent to Cabinet for approval

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