Le Ghana et d’autres pays à la pointe du stockage en puits des sources radioactives scellées retirées du service

In Malaysia, the preparatory work for the commencement of the borehole facility construction is now in its final stages and it is expected that the facility, which takes up to six weeks to build, will be operational soon. Following the country’s request, the IAEA has been assisting the authorities and the national stakeholders, including the Malaysia Nuclear Agency (MNA) and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), in developing guidance documents; designing and procuring borehole disposal equipment and tools; carrying out technical testing and facilitating capacity building, and more.

"The disposal of stored DSRSs into boreholes reduces safety and security risks and enables their efficient management," said Mohd Zaidi Ibrahim, Manager at the Waste Technology Development Centre (WasTeC) of the Waste and Environment Technology Division in the Malaysian Nuclear Agency. “The implementation of the borehole disposal method allows Malaysia to dispose the majority of category three to five DSRSs in its stockpile, especially the sources which were used prior to the establishment of appropriate regulatory requirements and are still in storage, that are usually associated with management concerns.” 

IAEA expert missions to Malaysia have focused on testing and providing guidance on the commissioning of the disposal operations and equipment, as well as on the oversight of the borehole facility construction. The Agency is also providing technical assistance and advice throughout the facility construction and through capacity building to develop the expertise required for its operation.

Ghana is also at an advanced stage of implementing its borehole project, with significant progress having been made in the regulatory authorization processes. The borehole facility construction is expected to begin as soon as the licensing review process is completed.

“We are implementing the borehole disposal system as a final solution for disused sealed radioactive sources generated in the country,” said Eric Tetteh Glover, Head of the Radioactive Waste Management Centre of the Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. “The successful implementation of the borehole disposal system will provide the country with a licensed disposal facility, and at the same time will further enhance the human and technical capabilities required for the country’s nuclear power programme.”

The completion of borehole disposal facilities in Ghana and Malaysia aims to significantly reduce the risks related to the disused radioactive sources. “The impact will go beyond the borders of these countries, as in the long-term this will be a model for other countries to follow. It is a major milestone for safety and security of disused sources,” said Anna Clark, Head of the IAEA of the Waste and Environmental Safety Section.

The BOSS (borehole disposal of disused sealed radioactive sources) system is a detailed, engineering level system which enables the safe, secure and permanent disposal of all DSRSs categories (1-5) in specially constructed boreholes ten of meters into the earth. Its implementation is expected to provide countries with a successful tool to contribute to the safety and security of current and future generations.

The IAEA has contributed extensively to developing safe, secure and sustainable approaches for managing sealed radioactive sources, and to developing specific technical solutions for the conditioning, storage and disposal of DSRSs, including the mobile hot cell, Mobile Tool Kit Facility, and the borehole disposal system.