Saudi Arabia plans to enrich uranium and sell it, says Energy Minister Abdulaziz
\n Riyadh
\nSaudi Arabia plans to enrich and sell uranium as part of its broader strategy to monetize its minerals, according to the country\u2019s energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.
\nSpeaking at a conference in Dhahran on Monday, Prince Abdulaziz stated, \u201cWe will enrich it and we will sell it and we will do a \u2018yellowcake\u2019,\u201d referring to the powdered concentrate of uranium used to prepare fuel for nuclear reactors.
\nHe emphasised that while yellowcake requires careful handling, it poses minimal radiation risks.
\nSaudi Arabia is pursuing the development of a nuclear program, with aspirations to eventually include uranium enrichment. This move is considered sensitive, given the potential connection to nuclear weapons production.
\nThe kingdom has expressed its intention to use nuclear power as a means to diversify its energy sources.
\nPrince Abdulaziz\u2019s comments come amidst Saudi Arabia\u2019s ongoing nuclear ambitions, which have raised concerns in the region.
\nIn 2018, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that Saudi Arabia would seek to develop nuclear weapons if regional rival Iran were to do so.
\nNeighboring Gulf state the United Arab Emirates (UAE) operates the Arab world\u2019s first multi-unit nuclear energy plant. However, the UAE has pledged not to engage in uranium enrichment or the reprocessing of spent fuel.
\nAdditionally, Saudi Arabia is planning to end its current light-touch oversight of its nuclear facilities by the United Nations atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The kingdom intends to shift to more regular safeguards by the end of 2024.
\nAt present, Saudi Arabia has yet to activate its first nuclear reactor, which allows its nuclear program to be monitored under the Small Quantities Protocol (SQP). This agreement, which the IAEA has with less advanced nuclear states, exempts them from certain reporting obligations and inspections.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Saudi Arabia plans to enrich uranium and sell it, says Energy Minister Abdulaziz Riyadh Saudi Arabia plans to enrich and sell uranium as part of its broader strategy to monetize its minerals, according to the country\u2019s energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. Speaking at a conference in Dhahran on Monday, Prince Abdulaziz stated, \u201cWe will […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":455462,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-455453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\n