"International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi says they "stand ready" to support the implementation of any future agreement regarding Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, after its status was included in ceasefire talks.

The six-unit Zaporizhzhia plant - Ukraine and Europe's largest nuclear power site - has been under Russian military control since early March 2022. It is located very close to the current military frontline and has had teams of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts stationed at it since September 2022 as part of efforts to try to minimise risks to its safety and security.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks about a possible ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. It included an initial measure to agree to not target energy infrastructure.

The White House said that during a subsequent phone call between Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky: "President Trump also discussed Ukraine’s electrical supply and nuclear power plants. He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure."

The Ukrainian Presidential office's report on the call did not mention nuclear energy facilities and, at a press conference in Norway, Zelensky said there had been no discussion between the two about US ownership of Zaporizhzhia or Ukraine's other nuclear power plants. He said that the nuclear energy sector in Ukraine was state-owned and belonged to the Ukrainian people.

Ukraine's position since the start of the war has been that the only way to ensure the safety of the plant is for it to be returned to Ukraine. Russia says that it is meeting all security and safety requirements and has started the process of getting Russian regulatory approvals for possible restarting of units in the future (all six units are currently in cold shutdown).

In his latest update on the situation in Ukraine, Grossi said he welcomed “developments on restraint around energy infrastructure” and added: "Without interruption, the IAEA has been present at this major nuclear plant for two and a half years now, doing everything possible to help prevent a potentially disastrous nuclear accident. We all wish for this devastating war to end as soon as possible.

"With our in-depth knowledge and expertise about the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, we stand ready to provide our technical contributions and support in the implementation of a future agreement regarding the plant. We will remain present for as long as it is needed to help ensure nuclear safety and security."

He added that staff at Zaporizhzhia had reported a quieter week in terms of hearing military activity from the plant, and various maintenance works had been taking place with progress made in bringing a 330 kV back-up external power line back into operation.

"For all nuclear power plants, regular maintenance of structures, systems and components is necessary to prevent degradation of these essential items that would increase the risks to nuclear safety and security," Grossi said. "This has been a particularly challenging issue during the past three years of war, when much of the focus has been on averting more immediate threats to nuclear safety and security and there has also been a lack of staff and other resources. That remains very much the case but it is positive that some maintenance is still being carried out.""

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https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/iaea-will-support-zaporizhzhia-whatever-agreement-is-reached

"IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi's two-day visit to Niger included meetings with Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine and other senior officials as well as visits to two uranium mine sites.

High-level meetings were held with Zeine and other senior officials to enhance support for the country through the peaceful uses of nuclear technology for mining, water management and cancer care, the IAEA said.

The Director General met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Yaou Sangaré Bakary, Minister of Mines Ousmane Abarchi and Minister of Energy Haoua Amadou to discuss other development priorities, including sustainable energy and visited the Compagnie Minière d’Akouta (Cominak) and the Société des Mines de l’Aïr (Somaïr).

"Niger is one of the biggest producers in the world of uranium," Grossi said in an IAEA video of his visit to the Somaïr mine. "With important political changes in the country, it was very important to ensure the continuity of the presence of the IAEA. As you can see, we have been here with the collaboration of the government, and we will continue not only to ensure that everything that goes on here is safe, secure and in a non-proliferation way, but also that the IAEA will continue helping and assisting the country in this key activity for its economic development."

The Director General said he had been "satisfied" with the visit, saying he had observed "professional management" and a willingness for transparency and collaboration with the IAEA.

"The work will continue here and at the other mining sites in Niger, but it was truly an excellent start," he said.

Grossi also visited the Cominak mine, which ceased production in 2021.

Uranium has been mined in Niger since the beginning of the 1970s. The country now produces around 5% of world uranium mining output, but operating permits for mines including GoviEx's Madouela project and Orano's Imouraren were withdrawn following a military coup in July 2023. Somaïr, which operates the Arlit uranium mine, is 63.4% owned by Orano, with Niger state-owned mining assets company SOPAMIN holding 36.6%, but has been under operational control of the Nigerien authorities since December. Along with the French company's other Niger subsidiaries, Cominak and Imouraren, Orano has removed it from its financial statements.

Orano and Canadian company GoviEx both initiated international arbitration proceedings against Niger, although in February GoviEx agreed to temporarily suspend proceedings while negotiations continue.
Water cooperation

Grossi signed an agreement with Minister of Hydraulics, Sanitation and Environment Maizama Abdoulaye to strengthen water resource management, under which Niger will develop an integrated water resource platform to strengthen water-related planning, policies and investment, supported by World Bank funding.

Niger, in the heart of the Sahel is facing severe water scarcity due to its arid climate, rapid population growth and limited water infrastructure. The IAEA supports countries in using isotope hydrology - a nuclear technique - to manage their freshwater resources.

Under the agreement, the IAEA will provide technical support to establish a national water quality laboratory, modernise seven existing water laboratories and strengthen national capacity through training, building on commitments made at the launch of the IAEA’s Global Water Analysis Laboratory Network at the 2023 UN Water Conference.

The IAEA has also supported Niger through its Rays of Hope initiative to expand access to cancer care where it is needed most. Grossi's trip included a visit to Niger's National Cancer Care Centre in the capital, Niamey, which was established with IAEA support."

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https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/niger-can-count-on-iaea-support-grossi-says-during-visit