The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) is working with the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) to resolve issues related to the NTP Radiochemical Facility.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Energy said Minister David Mahlobo was briefed by Necsa on developments regarding the hydrogen monitoring system.
In December 2017, it was reported that the regulator instructed the State-owned company to shut down production at the facility as safety procedures had been violated.
During his visit to Necsa, Minister Mahlobo was informed that the utility — which is responsible for undertaking and promoting Research and Development (R&D) in the field of nuclear energy and radiation sciences — will submit reports to the NNR indicating progress made in addressing the concerns raised by the regulator.
The Minister, who visited Necsa premises in Phelindaba, Tshwane, last week Thursday reiterated the need for all outstanding issues to be resolved as a matter of urgency as compliance in a nuclear installation is of paramount importance.
The NTP facility is among a few global suppliers of radioisotopes used for both industrial and medical purposes.
Minister Mahlobo not only received an update on the matter but also toured the premises and saw some of the installations, including laboratories and the NTP radioisotopes production facility.
Minister Mahlobo expressed satisfaction with the progress and developments at Necsa.
This visit formed part of the Minister’s continued monitoring and evaluation of the progress made by State-owned companies (SOCs) in line with their mandate, which is to drive industrialisation and the economic growth necessary to address the high levels of inequality in the county.
Necsa is also responsible for processing source material and co-operating with other institutions, locally and abroad, on nuclear and related matters in line with the Nuclear Energy Act, 1999 (Act No. 46 of 1999).
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