PROJECT TITLE:  Establishment of a Regulatory Framework for Uranium Mines and Milling Operations in Mongolia (INSC MN3.01/11)

11/01/17, Ulaanbaatar – Today, a project funded by the European Union (EU) to develop a regulatory framework for uranium mines and milling operations in Mongolia has been successfully completed. The project was implemented in close cooperation with the Nuclear Energy Commission (NEC) of Mongolian as the main partner organization.

The project was implemented by a consortium of Amec Foster Wheeler Earth & Environmental UK Ltd. as consortium leader and WISUTEC GmbH (Germany) in the period July 2014 through January 2017.

The final meeting of this project was held today, after completion of a workshop yesterday, 10 January 2017, summing up the main results and disseminating them among representatives from a wide range of Mongolian stakeholders.

The overall project objective has been to cooperate in the establishment of a regulatory framework in Mongolia for uranium mines and milling operations and in the development of the human resources required for its implementation.

The specific aims of the project have been to assist the Mongolian regulatory authority for radiation safety and other authorities and organisations involved in the regulatory oversight of uranium mining and milling facilities and to promote regulatory standards and practices in Mongolia in accordance with EU and international best practice.

In the project, 10 highly experienced EU and Mongolian technical and scientific experts were involved to assist the regulatory authority in the development of uranium mining regulations, technical guidelines on waste management, radiation and environmental protection, closure and rehabilitation, environmental monitoring and other areas, with a special focus on uranium mining and milling. The project activities also included assistance in developing internal procedures for the regulatory authorities and assistance in the review of permit application documents for future uranium mining and milling operations in Mongolia.

In order to increase know-how transfer to the Mongolian beneficiary organisation, several training courses were organised, both in Ulaanbaatar and abroad, including Canada, Australia, Germany and Hungary.

Specifically, the following results have been achieved under the project in close collaboration of the European and Mongolian experts:

• Development of draft regulations for uranium mining and milling, as well as technical guidelines to support the implementation of the regulations. The drafts have been made publicly available for review and comment by NEC at the website http://www.nea.gov.mn/content/show/id/900
• Development of internal procedures for the regulatory authorities involved in the regulatory oversight of uranium mining and milling facilities
• Specification of human resources and knowledge/skills required to effectively implement the regulatory framework followed by extensive training attended by representatives of NEC and other Mongolian organisations involved in the regulation and supervision of uranium mining and milling facilities
• Increased capabilities of NEC in the regulatory review and permitting process of uranium mining and milling facilities.

The project has been funded by the European Union under the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC). Assistance under the INSC involves, in alia, support for nuclear regulatory bodies and operators of nuclear facilities, support for safe transport, treatment and disposal of radioactive waste, support for development of decommissioning strategies, prevention of accidents with radiological consequences, and promoting international cooperation. http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/funding/funding-instruments-programming/funding-instruments/instrument-nuclear-safety-cooperation_en

Project Facts

Project Title: “Establishment of a Regulatory Framework for Uranium Mines and Milling Operations in Mongolia” (INSC MN3.01/11)

Project Duration: 31 months

For more information on this project:

EU: Mr Martin Andersen, Programme Manager(INSC), Martin.Andersen@ec.europa.eu

NEC: Mr Enkhgerel Nyamdavaa, Project Leader, e.nyamdavaa@nea.gov.mn

Amec Foster Wheeler Earth & Environmental UK Ltd.: Dr. Christian Kunze, Project Manager, kunze@iaf-dresden.de

For more information on the EU in Mongolia:                   

https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/mongolia_en