P R E S S R E L E A S E EUROPEAN UNION
7th June 2013
PRESS RELEASEEU team of experts on Nuclear Safety and Security visits Tanzania
On 7 June, representatives of the European Union met with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals to debrief on theresults of a fact finding mission to Tanzania from the European Commission. This mission, dealing with cooperation innuclear safety, security and safeguards of uranium-mining, was initiated after the visit of Minister Muhongo to theEuropean Union in Brussels from 12-13 April 2013. The mission was composed of experts from the Directorate Generalfor Development and Cooperation and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission responsible for theInstrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation.
The EU mission highlighted that the licensing process for uranium mining should be made according to the internationalstandards published by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This will be key to guarantee the safe uranium miningoperation. The licensing process relies on the role of the Regulatory Authorities that shall guarantee an independentreview of the safety and security provisions linked to..
each step of the process, from exploration to remediation,including the transport. The existing Tanzanian regulation copes with many aspects of international safety standards andit is felt that there is room for harmonization and clear definition of roles and responsibilities of each concernedorganizations. The envisioned cooperation with the EU will target also the strengthening of the ownership of theuranium mining process by Tanzania both in the short term and in the medium term.
Key areas identified for further collaboration between EU and Tanzania could focus on need for supporting theadditional permits for U-mining operations, capacity building, training and tutoring, transport and support to theregulatory authority. The EU intends to assist developing the existing capabilities such as available in TAEC (TanzaniaAtomic Energy Commission), and to promote at the same time a regional dimension of the cooperation and theengagement with local universities
.The EU Mission was also able to listen to the observations of a variety of NGOs expressing their concern about theuranium mining. The EU believes that transparency and communication are good practices in all phases of implementation.
The EU Ambassador Mr Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, who accompanied the mission to debrief the Minister of Energyand Minerals said "As part of the growing partnership between the European Union and Tanzania on Energy matters,this mission on Nuclear Safety and Security is very welcome. We wish to help Tanzania to deal with uranium miningand more generally with nuclear issues, in full respect of the international standards and with guarantee of safety andsecurity for both the concerned populations and the environment. The strong experience acquired by the EuropeanCommission in dealing with Nuclear Safety in central and eastern Europe will be of great help for our Tanzanianpartners".
BACKGROUND
This Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation finances measures to support a higher level of nuclear safety, radiationprotection and the application of efficient and effective safeguards of nuclear materials in third countries.The Joint Research Centre is the scientific and technical arm of the European Commission, which provide the scientificadvice and technical know-how to support a wide range of EU policies. In the area of nuclear activities, the JRCcontributes to nuclear security in area of safeguards, non-proliferation and the fight against illicit activities involvingnuclear and radiological material.
For more information contact:
Tom Vens, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section,Delegation of the European Union to the United Republic of Tanzania
Tom.VENS@eeas.europa.eu
EU Team of Experts on Nuclearsafety and Security Visits Tanzania June 7, 2013
