Material within Australia at 30 June 2001
Category
Quantity[1]
Intended End-use
Source
Material:
Uranium
ore concentrates (UOC)
1,057 tonnes U3O8
Exports
for energy use pursuant to bilateral agreements
Natural
Uranium
(other than UOC)
10,480 kg
Research
and shielding
Depleted
Uranium
12,085 kg
Research
and shielding
Thorium
62,517 kg
Research,
industry
Special
Fissionable Material
Uranium-235
168,433
g[2]
Research,
industry, radioisotope production
Uranium-233
4 g
Research
Plutonium
(except Pu-238)[3]
2,033 g[4]
Research,
neutron sources
[1]. These figures are based on reports received
pursuant to Permit requirements and were correct at the time of preparing this
Annual Report.
[2]. Most of the uranium-235 in Australia is
contained in irradiated fuel elements which have been used in ANSTO's HIFAR
reactor. The figure given here is based
on the weight of U-235 in each fuel element before irradiation, in accordance
with the accounting convention used in the application of IAEA safeguards to HIFAR
and Moata fuel prior to shipment from ANSTO
[3]. Plutonium with an isotopic concentration of
plutonium-238 exceeding 80% is exempt from safeguards.
[4]. Because of the IAEA accounting convention
mentioned above, this figure does not include any plutonium in irradiated
reactor fuel. However this quantity is
very small and in the event of reprocessing of the fuel, the contained
plutonium is considered practicably irrecoverable.