NNSA collaborates with South African firm on groundbreaking conversion to low-enriched uranium-based molybdenum-99 production

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and South African Nuclear Energy Corporation’s NTP Radioisotopes SOC Ltd (NTP) completed conversion of their critical medical isotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) production process from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU) in August.

This achievement culminates a successful multi-year collaboration between NNSA and NTP to convert South Africa’s Mo-99 production processes to LEU, and represents a milestone in global efforts to end the use of HEU in Mo-99 production.

NTP is the first major producer of Mo-99 to convert its production from HEU to LEU.

NNSA’s Mo-99 program supports major global Mo-99 suppliers in converting their Mo-99 production processes from HEU to LEU. The program works domestically to support commercial partners in establishing a reliable, non-HEU-based supply of this critical radioisotope.

To read more please visit: https://nnsa.energy.gov/mediaroom/pressreleases/nnsa-collaborates-south-african-firm-groundbreaking-conversion-low-enriched

Source: NNSA