The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), in tandem with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation’s NTP Radioisotopes SOC Ltd (NTP), recently completed conversion of its molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) production process from highly-enriched uranium (HEU), which is frequently used for nuclear weapons development, to low-enriched uranium (LEU).
The announcement is the result of a multi-year partnership between NNSA and NTP to convert South Africa’s uranium enrichment process to LEU and ending the use of HEU in Mo-99 production. NTP now becomes the first major Mo-99 producer to convert its production process to LEU.
“South Africa and NTP Radioisotopes have demonstrated outstanding global leadership in completing this lengthy and technically challenging Mo-99 conversion project,” David Huizenga, acting deputy administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, said. “NNSA has been extremely pleased to support NTP’s successful efforts to cease HEU-based Mo-99 production while continuing to play a key role in ensuring a reliable global supply of this crucial medical radioisotope.”
NTP currently supplies Mo-99 and other radioisotopes to more than 50 countries throughout the world, including the United States.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mo-99 is used in more than 80 percent of diagnostic nuclear medical imaging, accounting for approximately 40,000 daily patient procedures in the United States.
For its efforts in converting its Mo-99 production processes to LEU, the NNSA recently awarded NTP with an Outstanding Achievement Award at the September Mo-99 Topical Meeting in Montreal, Canada.