In 2018, Saudi Arabia, currently the world’s largest oil exporter, announced its intention to build 16 nuclear reactors for a total investment of $80 billion.
Saudi Arabia is working to start the production of uranium in the future for the development of the national nuclear program and for eventual export. This was announced today by Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman.
Recent Discoveries
Speaking at a conference dedicated to mining in Riyadh, the minister said recent discoveries showed a diversified uranium portfolio in the kingdom, noting that there are various geological sites spread across Saudi territory rich in uranium, including Jabal Saeed and Medina. . In 2018, Saudi Arabia, currently the world’s largest oil exporter, announced its intention to build 16 nuclear reactors for a total investment of $80 billion with the aim of reducing its dependence on the nuclear sector. hydrocarbons.
Statement of Saudi Energy Minister
The country, which began by developing “two large reactors,” wants to “exploit (its) uranium resources,” the Saudi energy minister said. “The kingdom intends to use its domestic uranium resources, including in joint projects with its partners, in compliance with international obligations and transparency rules, across the entire production cycle.” This includes “the production of yellowcake (solid uranium concentrate) and low-enriched uranium,” said Abdulaziz bin Salman.
Low-level enriched uranium (3.5 to 5 percent) serves as fuel for nuclear power plants that produce electricity. The 90 percent enriched uranium is instead used for the production of nuclear weapons. In 2018, the Riyadh authorities pledged to “limit all atomic activities for peaceful purposes”. Like other countries in the region, Saudi Arabia is concerned about the nuclear program of Iran, its major regional rival, which has always denied wanting to acquire atomic weapons.
The announcement made by the Saudi Energy Minister comes as attempts to revive the Iranian nuclear deal have effectively stalled, with Tehran gradually ramping up uranium enrichment levels to at least 60 percent , according to estimates by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Under the agreement signed in July 2015 in Vienna by Iran and the countries of the 5+1 group (China, France, United Kingdom, Russia, United States and Germany), Tehran was allowed to enrich uranium no more than 3.67 percent. However, after the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the agreement in May 2018 and the reintroduction of economic sanctions, Iran has gradually reduced its commitments.
This article is originally published on agenzianova.com