Belarusian scientists interested in management of radioactive waste

SOCHI, 21 November (BelTA) – Belarusian scientists are interested in the matter of management of radioactive waste, BelTA learned from Mikhail Zhemzhurov, head of a lab of the joint energy and nuclear research institute Sosny of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, on the sidelines of the international forum Atomexpo in Sochi on 21 November.

Mikhail Zhemzhurov said: “At present Belarusian science is very much interested in matters concerning the management of nuclear industry waste. Today Belarus and Russia signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the management of spent radioactive fuel. The management of radioactive waste is being discussed at several venues of Atomexpo today. We would like to share the best practices primarily with our Russian colleagues. We cooperate very actively with them. We get a lot of useful information.”

Mikhail Zhemzhurov also remarked that Belarusian scientists work in accordance with government programs on scientific studies in the sphere of nuclear technologies, tangible results have already been produced in various areas.

BelTA reported earlier that a strategy on managing radioactive waste has been drafted in Belarus. An interagency team worked on the document. It included representatives of organizations of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor), the Healthcare Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, the Energy Ministry, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, and members of the parliament. The document was worked out in tight interaction with colleagues from Russia – the country that supplies nuclear technologies. TVEL Fuel Company, which is the basic CIS organization in charge of radioactive waste management, helped develop the draft strategy. The document has passed public hearings.