Identification of Uranium Mill Sites from Open Source Satellite Images (NIAS Report No. R34-2015)

Openly available satellite imagery now provides a possible way to monitor nuclear fuel cycle activities. The early detection of new Uranium mining and milling operations and the routine monitoring of existing mines and mills using such imagery could make a valuable contribution to the oversight and monitoring function of organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). A review of the existing literature suggests that Uranium mines do not offer special spectral or spatial signatures that uniquely identify them in a satellite image. However the various processes involved in the conversion of Uranium ore into yellowcake, offers interesting possibilities for the use of satellite imagery. A sample set of 13 mills across the world were selected for investigation. For each of the mill sites detailed process flow sheets were built up using information available in the public domain. Satellite imagery especially Google Earth (GE) Images were then studied to generate a set of interpretation keys. These keys link the operations in the mill sites to the observables in the satellite image. The shapes and sizes of the features seen and their position in the process chain provided a set of signatures that could be used to identify a Uranium mill

Monitoring Uranium Mining and Milling using Commercial Observation Satellites

All the states that have signed the Additional Protocol to their Safeguards Agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will need to submit description and information specifying the location of their nuclear fuel cycle activities, including their operational and shut down uranium mines. While satellite imagery is useful for monitoring changes in the declared nuclear facilities, there has not been much discussion of using this imagery to monitor the early part of the nuclear fuel cycle namely uranium mining and milling.The availability of satellite data cost free on the Google Earth web site and commercially from various imagery providers makes it possible for analysts to make assessments concerning the nuclear fuel cycle activities of various countries of interest. The mining of uranium and its conversion through a milling process into U3O8 (yellowcake) is the first step of a complex conversion cycle that determines how the mined material will be used

Les conséquences sur le contrôle des armements de la nouvelle politique de défense anti-missiles

Arms control implications of the new ballistic missile defence policy, by Bhupendra Jasani Whilst the 1967 Treaty provided for demilitarisation of the moon and other celestial bodies and prohibited the orbit of mass destruction weapons, in fact the development of a new generation of arms for use in space has occurred since then. Current development of antimissile laser beam weapons and the perfecting of anti-satellite arms Systems give rise to fears of a change in the balance on which dissuasion rests and of a new phase of the arms race between the two super powers. At the present stage of research and development in the United States (the Soviet Union is very discreet about results of research in this field), it is not possible to judge the feasibility of an efficient missile defence system, but it is certain that the techniques used to destroy the attacking weapons which involve nuclear explosion would contrevene the stipulations of the Treaty of Moscow of August 1963 as the Treaty of May 1972 limiting deployment of ABMs. Negotiations are therefore important in order to avoid this new and dangerous arms race.Alors que le traité de 1967 avait prévu une démilitarisation de la Lune et des autres corps célestes et interdit la mise sur orbite d'armes de destruction massive, on a assisté depuis lors à une recrudescence des activités militaires dans l'espace. Les perspectives ouvertes par la défense contre missiles avec des armes à énergie dirigée et la mise au point de systèmes d'armes anti-satellites font craindre que l'équilibre sur lequel repose la dissuasion est en passe de se rompre et que les deux grandes puissances vont entrer dans une nouvelle phase de la course aux armements. Dans l'état actuel des recherches et du développement des armes nouvelles aux Etats-Unis (l'URSS se montre d'une grande discrétion sur les résultats qu'elle a obtenus dans ce domaine), il n'est pas possible de se prononcer sur la faisabilité d'un système efficace de défense contre missiles, mais on peut considérer que les techniques de destruction des engins assaillants qui exigent des explosions nucléaires comme source d'énergie contreviendraient aux stipulations du traité de Moscou d'août 1963 et du traité limitant le déploiement des ABM de mai 1972. Il importe donc de négocier des arrangements qui permettraient de faire l'économie d'une course aux armements dont les risques sont considérables.Jasani Bhupendra. Les conséquences sur le contrôle des armements de la nouvelle politique de défense anti-missiles. In: Politique étrangère, n°2 - 1984 - 49ᵉannée. pp. 401-415

Discriminating Uranium and Copper Mills Using Satellite Imagery

Identifying uranium mills from high resolution commercial satellite images has assumed significance in recent years because of non-proliferation concerns. Studies have shown that it is difficult to identify Uranium mills through remote sensing methods that use only spectral signatures. In this communication we suggest an approach that relies only on spatial signatures of the equipment used in the extraction process as an alternative. Since the extraction of Uranium and Copper have many similar features especially where Copper is extracted from low grade ore or from copper tailings, there could be ambiguity in identifying a Uranium mill from high resolution commercial satellite images. In an earlier work carried out by the authors and summarized in this paper as well we had proposed a separation between copper and uranium mills based on the spatial signatures of equipment that is unique to the copper milling process. In this paper we suggest some improvements to the methodology outlined by us in our earlier work. In addition to the other features used to separate Uranium and Copper mills we bring in the dimensions of common equipment used in both processes as an additional dimension to improve the robustness of our classification. This technique is applicable only where the extraction is done in a mill and not where Uranium is extracted by in situ leaching methods

Remote sensing and change detection for nuclear safeguards

Multi-spectral, multi-temporal and radar satellite imagery of the Bruce Nuclear Power Development Site is investigated in the context of Nuclear Safeguards . Emphasis is placed on the detection of warm water releases and the application statistical change detectio