IAEA experts assessed Bolivia’s RB-01 nuclear research reactor to ensure safety compliance as construction nears completion. Suggestions included enhanced safety training and formal safety committee establishment. The facility aims to advance Bolivia’s nuclear technology for health and industry applications and is set to launch in 2025 as the highest research reactor globally.
A team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently visited Bolivia’s RB-01 research reactor to ensure compliance with safety standards during its construction phase. The visit included experts from Bulgaria, Canada, France, and the Netherlands, and was requested by Bolivia’s Nuclear Energy Agency (ABEN) as the reactor approaches commissioning, scheduled for 2025. This facility, located in El Alto at 4,000 meters elevation, will be the highest research reactor in the world.
Joseph Christensen, Senior Nuclear Safety Officer at the IAEA, highlighted the significant progress made by ABEN in construction and organizational development to ensure the upcoming commissioning’s safety. The IAEA team provided several recommendations aimed at enhancing safety protocols, including improved training for operating staff, formalizing an independent safety committee, and updating the radiation protection program.
ABEN’s director general, Hortensia Jiménez Rivera, affirmed that Bolivia’s commitment to nuclear technology is rooted in a strong safety culture, which is essential for realizing the program’s potential benefits in health, industry, and agriculture. The completion of Bolivia’s first nuclear research reactor marks a pivotal moment for the nation’s scientific advancement.
Additionally, the El Alto center already operates a Cyclotron Preclinical Radiopharmacy Complex for producing pharmaceuticals for local nuclear medicine centers, ensuring faster and higher-quality treatment options for Bolivians. Constructed by Rosatom, the El Alto complex’s construction commenced in July 2021, with the research reactor vessel installed in 2023, completing a significant milestone in Bolivia’s nuclear initiative.
The IAEA’s mission to Bolivia’s RB-01 research reactor has underscored the importance of safety and training as the project progresses towards commissioning in 2025. With support from international experts, Bolivia is poised to enhance its nuclear capabilities responsibly, significantly impacting various sectors such as healthcare and agriculture, while maintaining a commitment to a robust safety culture.
Original Source: world-nuclear-news.org
