Three-way pact says nation to accept waste
Mongolia to be home for spent nuclear fuel
Kyodo
A Japanese-U.S.-Mongolian draft agreement over the creation of a nuclear fuel production and spent fuel disposal cycle clearly refers to Mongolia as the destination of such fuel, according to a copy of the text.
The draft statement of intent among the three countries on "comprehensive fuel services" would create the world's first framework in which Mongolia exports uranium fuel to other countries and also is the final place for disposal.
The draft agreement mentions the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, in possibly providing technical support to Mongolia in developing spent fuel storage facilities.
While the concept appears difficult to implement in light of the disaster at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, hopes for such an initiative linger among those involved, including private sector firms.
Establishing a system of permanently disposing of spent fuel that gets generated in reactors presents a significant challenge to countries intent on adopting atomic power.
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