Notice No. 1347

12 December 2008

DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS AND ENERGY

June 2008

PURPOSE OF THE DOCUMENT

This document presents a policy framework within which prospecting, mining, milling and use of nuclear materials as well as the development and utilization of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes by South Africa shall take place.

VISION

Industrial and technological leadership, to secure alternative energy resources for the future, through the development of a globally competitive infrastructure and skills for the peaceful utilisation of Nuclear Energy and Technology.

SCOPE

The document covers the prospecting and mining of uranium ore and any other ores containing nuclear materials as well as the nuclear fuel cycle in its entirety focusing on all applications of nuclear technology for energy generation.

This policy does not cover non-energy related applications of nuclear technology.

Ministerial Foreword

This policy document represents the South African government's vision for the development of an extensive nuclear energy programme by ensuring that Government's objective on the prospecting and mining of uranium ore and the use of uranium (or other relevant nuclear materials) as a primary resource of energy must be regulated and managed in a manner that will be for peaceful purposes. The long term goal is to be self-sufficient in all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle where, for each aspect, a feasibility study has been conducted. As a point of departure, South Africa has more than 20 years experience of safe nuclear power plant operation and experience in research, development and use of nuclear related technology.

South Africa's Koeberg Nuclear Power station has accorded our country the opportunity of acquiring a wide spectrum of skills in plant operation, radiological and environmental protection and radioactive waste management amongst others. These skills will be very important in ensuring safe and sustainable use of an extended nuclear energy programme for the benefit of the country. In this extended programme NECSA will playa vital role as the state's body responsible for research and development in the field of nuclear energy. It will also be important to retain and develop specialist scientists to ensure success of the programmes.

This document clarifies the main objectives and lays down the principles that will guide Government's vision for an extended nuclear energy programme. Above all, the principles of safety, the protection of the environment and peaceful uses must be highlighted. It will be necessary to implement new structures and mechanisms in order to ensure successful implementation of this Policy. The envisaged development of nuclear fuel cycle activities are major challenges but these are not insurmountable. This is a very ambitious undertaking but I am confident that with the contribution of the South African collective the vision is surely within reach.

The important role of nuclear energy in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions deserves special mentioning. Today it is known that nuclear power is one of the least carbon intensive generating technologies and the significant annual savings of carbon dioxide emissions brought about by the world's nuclear power stations cannot be denied. When considering the emissions from the full life cycle, nuclear power produces only a tiny fraction of greenhouse gases when compared to fossil fuels. As we go into the future our nation and the world at large face energy and related environmental challenges. Our country needs an energy portfolio that can positively assist us in meeting these challenges.

Ms B.P. Sonjica

Minister