World Nuclear News

Nova Scotia bill proposes lifting uranium exploration ban

Wednesday, 19 February 2025

Legislation has been introduced in the parliament of Nova Scotia calling for the end of a ban on uranium exploration and mining in the Canadian province. However, if passed, it would only allow government research on uranium resources within the province.

The province's legislative chamber (Image: Nova Scotia Legislature)

Repealing the legislated prohibition on uranium exploration and mining would allow for research to better understand opportunities for developing this resource, the provincial government said. "Having accurate data on the amount and location of uranium is the first step. It will also help protect Nova Scotians from health and safety risks. The repeal allows government research only. All industry activity regarding uranium will continue to be prohibited through an existing ministerial order that will remain in place under the Mineral Resources Act."

Canada is the world's third-largest uranium producer, and while uranium is on Canada's critical mineral list, it has not been on Nova Scotia's because of the prohibition. While uranium exploration is regulated provincially, mining and processing are regulated by the federal government through the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

According to World Nuclear Association, all of Canada's uranium is currently mined in northern Saskatchewan. While exploration has concentrated on northern Saskatchewan, new prospects extend to Labrador and Nova Scotia as well as Quebec, Nunavut Territory in the far north, and the Elliott Lake area in Ontario where uranium has been mined in the past.

However, three provinces, none of which are familiar with uranium mining, have banned uranium mining and exploration: Nova Scotia (since 1981), British Columbia (1980-87 and from 2008) and Quebec (since 2013).

"Canada is one of 31 countries that signed a declaration to triple nuclear energy by 2050 - it is a key tool in the fight against climate change," Rushton said. "We can create jobs, make our economy more resilient to future Trump threats and join the global fight against climate change."

Repealing the uranium exploration ban was one of five pieces of legislation proposed in the bill. The others included: amending the Petroleum Resources Act to create the potential for hydraulic fracturing to access onshore natural gas; amending the Public Utilities Act to extend Efficiency Nova Scotia's demand-side management plan by one year while key changes to the electricity system are put in place; repealing and replacing the Agrologist Act to better address the agriculture industry's needs; and modernising the Agricultural Weed Control Act to better protect against noxious weeds.

"Legislation introduced today, 18 February, will lift blanket bans and pave the way for dialogue to ensure natural resource development can happen safely, unlocking a path toward job creation, boosting the economy and making Nova Scotia more self-sufficient," the government said.

"The world is demanding critical minerals and other natural resources in the transition to net-zero by 2050. Nova Scotia can be a safe, responsible and ethical source of those materials and we need to remove barriers to explore all our options," said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources. "If we're going to use natural resources here, we should be having the conversations about extracting them here and keeping all the jobs and economic benefits for Nova Scotians.

Kazakhstan, Jordan team up for uranium studies

Wednesday, 19 February 2025

Kazakhstan's national atomic company Kazatomprom has signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation with Jordan Uranium Mining Company.

The signing of the document (Image: Kazatomprom)

The document - signed during an official visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Jordan - focuses on the joint study of uranium exploration and mining projects in Jordan in order to assess their potential for further development.

This initiative, Kazatomprom said, is aimed at refining geological characteristics and resources estimates of the deposits considering the heap leaching mining technology. Significant emphasis will be placed on environmental sustainability and economic feasibility of the project when evaluating the potential for its implementation, it added.

"Implementation of joint projects opens up promising opportunities for Jordan's nuclear industry, including new labour market opportunities, infrastructure development, and engagement of local contractors," Kazatomprom noted. "For Kazakhstan, the world's leading uranium producer, entering a new market could be a significant step toward expanding its global presence, strengthening strategic positions, and enhancing bilateral economic ties with Jordan."

It added: "Knowledge exchange, adoption of new technologies, and collaborative efforts to improve industry standards will establish a strong and sustainable foundation for the development of the uranium sector in both countries."

Kazatomprom CEO Meirzhan Yussupov said: "Partnership with Jordan Uranium Mining Company (JUMCO) opens new avenues for international cooperation and strengthens Kazakhstan's position in the global uranium industry, supporting our strategic goals to expand and efficiently utilise our resource base. Furthermore, potential development of projects beyond Kazakhstan presents a unique opportunity to gain global expertise and contribute to the sustainable development of our nations."

"This memorandum aims to develop joint uranium mining projects in Jordan and sets the potential stage for JUMCO to accelerate its pace toward commercial production of uranium in Jordan through cooperation with Kazatomprom," said JUMCO General Manager Mohammad Al-Shannag. "Indeed, it will pave the ground for JUMCO to facilitate knowledge exchange, share experience and marketing techniques with Kazatomprom, a world leader in uranium production."

JUMCO is the commercial arm of the Jordanian Atomic Energy Commission and was established in 2013 to carry out radioactive elements exploration and development in Jordan. Its exploration and development efforts have been focused on the Central Jordan Uranium Project, where a pilot plant began operation in early 2021. JUMCO later that year said the plant was fully operational.

According to the 2022 edition of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency joint report on uranium resources, production and demand - known as the 'Red Book' - Jordan has 62,000 tU as inferred resources. The total includes 33,300 tU JORC-compliant in central Jordan, and an estimated 28,700 tU in the Hasa-Qatrana area. Some 100,000 tU is estimated in phosphate deposits as a possible by-product.

Texas partnership evaluates SMR use for water desalination

Wednesday, 19 February 2025

Natura Resources has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Texas Tech University and Abilene Christian University to evaluate integrating Natura's molten salt small modular reactor technology with water desalination systems.

An MSR-100 reactor facility (Image: Natura Resources)

The goal of this collaboration, which includes the Texas Produced Water Consortium (TxPWC) at Texas Tech, "is to provide a sustainable solution for water scarcity by purifying produced water from oil and gas operations, making it available for agricultural and other beneficial uses", Natura said. Natura announced in July last year that it had joined the consortium to evaluate the deployment of Natura's molten salt reactor technology to meet energy and water needs in the Permian Basin in a partnership dubbed Fortifying the Future. 

TxPWC was established by the Texas legislature in 2021 to focus on the potential for beneficial uses of treated produced water outside the oil and gas industry of the Permian basin (produced water is water that is produced as a byproduct of oil and gas extraction, and is typically salty or brackish as well as containing hydrocarbon residues). With administrative oversight from Texas Tech University, in coordination with the Government Agency Advisory Council and the Stakeholder Advisory Council, the consortium is specifically tasked with providing the legislature and state agencies with guidance and recommendations on policies that could encourage a system of beneficial use that is both environmentally safe and economically viable.

"Natura Resources' MSR technology represents a significant advancement in clean energy innovation, equipping Texas with the tools to meet its energy and water needs for decades to come," said Natura founder and CEO Doug Robison. "Our partnership with Texas Tech University and Abilene Christian University exemplifies our collaborative approach to addressing critical challenges and driving technological advancements. This collaboration will pave the way for the commercial development and deployment of MSR technology in Texas and beyond."

"This partnership will address critical challenges we face as a state," said Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec. "By working with Natura and Abilene Christian University, we're securing crucial water resources and driving innovation in energy. By creating greater access to water, energy and jobs, we will contribute to a stronger future for our communities. Texas Tech is proud to be part of this collaborative effort."

Senator Charles Perry, Chair of the Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs, said: "Natura's advanced nuclear technology offers a promising solution to our state's water and energy challenges. By integrating desalination with energy production, we can ensure a sustainable future for Texas."

In September last year, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a licence to Abilene Christian University for the construction of a molten salt research reactor on its campus in Abilene, Texas, marking the first construction permit for a liquid-fueled advanced reactor and only the second for any advanced reactor issued by the NRC.

Abilene Christian University's molten salt research reactor (MSRR) will be the first deployment of the Natura MSR-1, a 1 MWt, graphite-moderated, fluoride salt flowing fluid (fuel dissolved in the salt) research reactor. The MSRR will be used for on-campus nuclear research and training opportunities for faculty, staff and students in advanced nuclear technologies. The reactor will significantly expand the university's salt reactor research and development infrastructure, supporting US molten salt reactor design, development, deployment and market penetration.​​

Natura is partnering with Texas A&M University to deploy the MSR-100 - a 100 MWe system for commercial applications - at the RELLIS Campus. This initiative is part of a broader project known as the Energy Proving Ground, which involves multiple nuclear reactor companies. The project aims to bring commercial-ready small modular reactors to the site, providing a reliable source of clean energy for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

Czech Republic sees Korean links beyond Dukovany units

Wednesday, 19 February 2025

Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček has said that the Czech Republic and South Korea are looking at further investments and trade relations in addition to the proposed new capacity at the Dukovany nuclear power plant.

(Image: Czech Ministry of Trade and Industry)

The minister met with the acting President and Prime Minister of South Korea, Choi Sang-mok, in Seoul on Tuesday and said: "We discussed, in addition to the completion of Dukovany and the involvement of Czech industry, further cooperation between our countries, not only in terms of further investments and deepening trade relations, but also, for example, in the field of research, development and innovation."

He also held a meeting with the South Korean opposition, who "confirmed to me at the meeting that it fully supports the project for new nuclear sources and that they are ready to develop trade and cultural relations between the Czech Republic and South Korea".

"The selection of KHNP (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power) as the preferred supplier for the new nuclear units in Dukovany opens up new possibilities for Czech-Korean economic and technological cooperation. In Korea, we confirmed that it is our priority to ensure that this cooperation goes beyond the field of nuclear energy and includes research, development, small modular reactors, hydrogen technologies, electromobility, battery systems, semiconductors or education," said Vlček.

Background
 

The Czech Republic currently gets about one-third of its electricity from the four VVER-440 units at Dukovany, which began operating between 1985 and 1987, and the two VVER-1000 units in operation at Temelín, which came into operation in 2000 and 2002.

In October 2023, Westinghouse, EDF and KHNP submitted binding bids for a fifth unit at the Dukovany nuclear power plant, and non-binding offers for up to three more units - another one at Dukovany and two at the Temelin nuclear power plant. Westinghouse was proposing its AP1000, EDF was proposing its EPR1200 reactor, KHNP was proposing its APR1000. But in February the Czech government announced it was changing the tender to be binding offers for four new units, with Westinghouse not included because it "did not meet the necessary conditions".

Prime Minister Petr Fiala explained at the time that the decision to switch to binding offers for all four units was the result of the original tender suggesting that contracting for four units, rather than having separate processes, could have a 25% benefit in terms of costs.

In July, he announced KHNP as the preferred bidder, with contract negotiations to begin with the aim of signing contracts for the initial unit by the end of March 2025 - the target for test operation of the first new unit is 2036 with commercial operation in 2038. He said the winning tender "based on the evaluation of experts, offered better conditions in most of the evaluated criteria, including the price". The KHNP bid was for a cost of around CZK200 billion (USD8.6 billion) per unit, if two units were contracted.

Last month Westinghouse and KHNP and KEPCO reached an agreement on their long-running intellectual property dispute and to collaborate on the deployment of new nuclear reactors around the world.

Bolivia's first nuclear research reactor hosts IAEA mission

Wednesday, 19 February 2025

A team of International Atomic Energy Agency experts has visited the RB-01 research reactor under construction in Bolivia to verify agency safety standards are being followed, and to recommend further measures.

(Image: ABEN)

The seven-day Integrated Safety Assessment Mission for Research Reactor was requested by Bolivia's Nuclear Energy Agency (ABEN) as the construction phase nears completion and the project prepares to move on to commissioning. The experts taking part were from Bulgaria, Canada, France and the Netherlands, as well as one International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) official.

The Russian pool-type 200 kW pressurised water research reactor is a central part of the Centre for Research and Development in Nuclear Technology, which is being built in El Alto at an altitude of 4000 metres. It is scheduled to start up in 2025, and become the world's highest altitude research reactor.

Review team leader Joseph Christensen, Senior Nuclear Safety Officer at the IAEA, said: "ABEN has made significant progress in construction and is building an effective organisation to begin commissioning, which will contribute to ensuring safety. The review team encourages ABEN to continue keeping safety as the top priority as they proceed toward commissioning."

Recommendations for improvements included strengthening the on-the-job training of future operating staff of the reactor; formalising the safety committee to provide independent review and assessment of activities important to safety in the areas of commissioning and operation; strengthening the supervision of construction and commissioning of the facility by ABEN; updating the radiation protection programme, and establishing operational limits and conditions specific for commissioning.

Hortensia Jiménez Rivera, ABEN director general, said that the decision to implement the Bolivian Nuclear Programme had been taken "with a clear understanding that the development of nuclear technology is only possible through a strict commitment to the safety culture. This ensures the successful implementation of the programme, allowing the population to benefit from its broad applications in health, industry, agriculture, the environment, water resources, mining, science and technology. In addition, the implementation of Bolivia’s first nuclear research reactor represents a turning point in the country’s scientific and technological development".

The Cyclotron Preclinical Radiopharmacy Complex at the El Alto centre is already up and running, and will produce a line of pharmaceuticals to provide the necessary supplies for the network of Bolivian nuclear medicine centres, intended to allow Bolivians to get quicker and higher quality diagnosis and treatment without having to travel abroad. The Multipurpose Irradiation Centre has also been completed.

Rosatom announced the signing of the contract with the ABEN in September 2017 for the construction of the El Alto nuclear research and technology complex. Construction of the facility began in July 2021 and the research reactor vessel was delivered and installed in its design position in 2023.

Japan aims for increased use of nuclear in latest energy plan

Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Japan is to "make maximum use of nuclear power", with about 20% of the country's total electricity generation in fiscal 2040 coming from nuclear, according to the government's latest Basic Energy Plan. Previous plans have called for a reduction on its dependence on nuclear power.

In December, Shimane 2 became the latest Japanese reactor to be restarted (Image: Qurren/CreativeCommons)

The Japanese government revises its energy plan about every three years. The plan is formulated based on the Basic Energy Policy Law enacted in June 2002. The latest plan, like its predecessors, recognises the necessity of energy security for the country, which is poor in fossil fuel resources. The policy includes commitments to "clean energy" initiatives but places emphasis on ensuring stable and secure energy supplies. The Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy started discussions on the 7th Basic Energy Plan in May 2024 and presented the draft version of the plan in December. It has since gone through a public comment procedure and other processes.

Adopted on Tuesday by the cabinet, the 7th Basic Energy Plan calls for nuclear electricity generation to increase from 8.5% in fiscal 2023 to about 20% in fiscal 2040. Renewable energy's share of total electricity production, meanwhile, is expected to increase from 22.9% to 40%-50%, with fossil fuels' share dropping from almost 69% to 30%-40%.

Prior to the March 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, Japan's 54 reactors had provided around 30% of the country's electricity. However, within 14 months of the accident, the country's nuclear generation had been brought to a standstill pending regulatory change.

Since then, 14 reactors have gradually resumed operation. The country's policy since 2014 has been to reduce its dependence on nuclear power as much as possible.

To achieve a 20% share for nuclear by fiscal 2040, the majority of Japan's 36 operable nuclear reactors - including those currently under construction - will have to be operational.

"At present, in the Kyushu and Kansai areas where nuclear power plants are being restarted, the proportion of decarbonised energy sources is high, and electricity prices are up to 30% lower than in other areas," the plan notes. "In addition, the benefits of restarting nuclear power plants are being passed on to consumers in the form of lower electricity prices, etc."

In February 2023, Japan's Cabinet approved a policy to allow new nuclear power reactors to be constructed and the operation of existing reactors to be extended from 40 to 60 years.

"Before 2040, more than 3 million kW of existing reactors will reach 60 years of operation, and after that, the supply capacity of existing reactors as decarbonised power sources will be significantly lost," the plan says. "In order to secure the decarbonised power sources necessary for economic growth and improvement of the people's lives in 2040 and beyond, it is necessary to take into account the fact that a fairly long lead time of about 10 to 20 years is necessary.

"In order to utilise nuclear power as a decarbonised power source, we will work on the development and installation of next-generation innovative reactors that incorporate new safety mechanisms, aiming to improve the safety of nuclear power."

The government said it will proceed with the "concrete implementation of next-generation innovative reactors" on the sites of operators who have decided to decommission nuclear power plants, "only if they contribute to the maintenance and development of local industries and employment and can obtain the understanding of the local community".

It added: "In addition, we will continue to work on technological development toward the practical application of other next-generation innovative reactors, such as fast reactors, high-temperature gas reactors, and fusion energy."

Kärnfull Next progresses with Swedish SMR project

Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Small modular reactor project development company Kärnfull Next has secured land rights for the project to build a power plant based on SMRs in the municipality of Valdemarsvik in Östergötland county in southeastern Sweden.

Illustration of a multi-unit SMR campus (Image: Instance/MIT)

In June last year, Kärnfull Next announced it had entered into an exclusive partnership agreement with landowner Latona Group for the exploration rights for nuclear power on the site. The company noted that the property includes areas that were identified as suitable for nuclear power in studies going back as far as the 1970s. With more than 1300 hectares in total, it said the site was appealing for co-location with 2030s energy-intensive industries, such as AI data centres. 

The SMR campus in Valdemarsvik is initially planned to host between four and six small light water reactors, adding between 10-15 TWh of electricity generation per year. It would be part of Kärnfull Next's Re:Firm South SMR programme, aiming to expand carbon-free and dispatchable energy production across southern Sweden.

Kärnfull Next said it has now signed a new cooperation agreement with Latona Group, securing permanent land rights for the project.

"This is a crucial step in our strategy to establish new nuclear power in southern Sweden, said Kärnfull Next Chief Strategy Officer John Ahlberg. "Our collaboration with Latona provides the stability needed to proceed with topics such as permitting and detailed project planning."

The Valdemarsvik project will now advance in close dialogue with the municipality, regional stakeholders, and strategic partners, including global construction giant Samsung C&T, Kärnfull Next said. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the South Korean construction firm in December to advance the deployment of SMRs in Sweden.

"The goal is to ensure the efficient development of the SMR park, covering technical, economic, societal and regulatory aspects," Kärnfull Next said.

"Our vision is to combine advanced nuclear technology with sustainable energy supply and local engagement," Ahlberg said. "By maintaining an open and transparent dialogue with all stakeholders, we create the foundation for a robust and future-proof energy project."

In March 2022, Kärnfull Next signed a memorandum of understanding with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy on the deployment of its BWRX-300 in Sweden.

Kärnfull Next has been conducting site selection and feasibility studies in several municipalities in Sweden since 2022. By establishing multiple SMR parks as part of the same programme, the company expects to achieve economies of scale in terms of technology selection, construction partners, power purchase agreements and financing partners.