DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS AND ENERGY

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