NNSA and Global Affairs Canada Partner with Kazakhstan to Build New Radioactive Source Storage Facility

WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Radiological Security (ORS) recently marked the completion of a new long-term regional radioactive waste storage facility in Kazakhstan.

The opening of the storage facility at Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) enhances regional and global security by safely storing thousands of disused radioactive sources. This facility, operational since 2022 with an expected lifespan of 50 years, conforms with all Kazakhstan and IAEA guidelines and replaces a much older facility located at an INP property in Turaz.

“The opening of this repository will make a significant contribution to strengthening radiation safety both in Kazakhstan and around the world,” said Acting U.S. Consulate General Stephan Langley at the opening ceremony.

“This storage facility for spent sources of ionizing radiation is a big step towards the peaceful use of the atom in the Republic of Kazakhstan,” stated Director General of the INP Mr. Sayabek Sakhiev.

The storage facility began with an ORS-funded feasibility study in 2019, and construction was funded by Global Affairs Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program. Construction was completed by the INP within the framework of the Kazakh-American Special Commission on Energy Partnership Program.

Approximately 3,500 disused radioactive sources have been transported to the new facility from the older, less secure temporary storage facility. In the future, the new facility will begin accepting radioactive sources from other Kazakh organizations.

Following the ceremony, the delegation toured the INP grounds including the new storage facility, a nuclear reactor used to make pharmaceuticals, and future sites that will continue to support radiological security.

The ceremony was attended by the Canadian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Alan Hamson; U.S. Acting Consulate General Langely; Director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Kazakhstan Constance McAninch; Brian Rabaey from the Office of Radiological Security; and Representative of the U.S. Consulate in Almaty Samuel Fontela.

ORS’s mission is to enhance global security by preventing radioactive materials from use in acts of terrorism. To achieve the mission, ORS has developed a holistic and sustainable security approach that protects radioactive sources in vital medical, research, and commercial settings; removes and disposes of disused radioactive sources; and reduces the global reliance on radioactive sources through the promotion of non-radioisotopic alternative technologies.

Learn more about NNSA’s Office of Radiological Security.