A perspective on the proliferation risks of plutonium mines
- Nuclear Control Institute, Washington, DC (United States)
The program of geologic disposal of spent fuel and other plutonium-containing materials is increasingly becoming the target of criticism by individuals who argue that in the future, repositories may become low-cost sources of fissile material for nuclear weapons. This paper attempts to outline a consistent framework for analyzing the proliferation risks of these so-called {open_quotes}plutonium mines{close_quotes} and putting them into perspective. First, it is emphasized that the attractiveness of plutonium in a repository as a source of weapons material depends on its accessibility relative to other sources of fissile material. Then, the notion of a {open_quotes}material production standard{close_quotes} (MPS) is proposed: namely, that the proliferation risks posed by geologic disposal will be acceptable if one can demonstrate, under a number of reasonable scenarios, that the recovery of plutonium from a repository is likely to be as difficult as new production of fissile material. A preliminary analysis suggests that the range of circumstances under which current mined repository concepts would fail to meet this standard is fairly narrow. Nevertheless, a broad application of the MPS may impose severe restrictions on repository design. In this context, the relationship of repository design parameters to easy of recovery is discussed.
- Research Organization:
- US Department of Energy (USDOE), Washington DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 420668
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-951259-; ON: DE96011798; TRN: 97:002151
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Plutonium stabilization and immobilization workshop, Washington, DC (United States), 12-14 Dec 1995; Other Information: PBD: May 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of US Department of Energy Plutonium Stabilization and Immobilization Workshop, December 12-14, 1995: Final proceedings; PB: 474 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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