Name: 16 Megaelectronvolt (MeV) Cyclotron
Subordinate to: Rudjer Boskovic Institute
Size: Multiple programs and departments
Primary Function: Uranium Enrichment Studies
Description: Scientists may have used the 16 megaelectronvolt (MeV) cyclotron housed at this facility to conduct research into electromagnetic isotope separation techniques to enrich uranium.[1]The status of the facility is unknown.
Name: Jazbec and Borst Mine Waste Disposal Sites
Location: Jazbec and Borst Creeks, Slovenia
Subordinate to: Directorate for Nuclear Raw Materials
Size: Approximately 200 kg of U308 tailings, solid, and liquid waste
Primary Function: Waste storage
Description: These locations have been the dumping sites for the waste and tailings resulting from years of operating the Zirovski Vrh mine. In 2001, the Slovenian Government reported that over 5,500 tons of poor quality uranium ore originating from the Zirovski mine was deposited at the Jazbec site.[2]
Name: Josef Stefan Institute
Other Names: Institut Jozef Stefan
Location: Podgorica, near Ljubljana, Slovenia
Subordinate to: Ljubljana University
Size: Large complex of departments, laboratories, and facilities
Primary Function: Nuclear physics research and development
Description: Construction of Josef Stefan Institute began in 1949 and was completed in 1953.[3] When it opened in 1954, the focus of the Institute was to train young professionals and conduct research to develop new nuclear related technologies. That mandate remains current to this day (2004). Under IAEA sponsorship, the Institute has trained engineers, offering courses in nuclear material handling and constructing nuclear power plants. Institute projects have included reactor engineering, radiological protection, and studying the processing and exploitation of raw nuclear material. In 1961, there were approximately 186 scientific and 128 technical staff working at the Institute.[4] That number has expanded as the activity at the institute has flourished. In 2002, thirty-five percent of Slovenia's annual scientific publications in the natural sciences originated from this institute. It has no fixed income but receives payment mostly for research projects contracted through the Slovenian government, the EU, NATO and industries[5].
Name: Nuklearna Elektrana Krsko (NEK) Nuclear Power Plant
Other Names: Krkso
Location: Krsko, Slovenia, 40 km from Zagreb
Subordinate to: formerly Sava Power Station (Savska Elektrana, Slovenia) and Zagreb Electricity Utility (Elektroprivreda Zagreb, Croatia); presently, Elektrogospodarstvo (EGS, Slovenia) and Hrvatska Elektroprivreda (Croatia)[6]
Size: Net capacity 676 Mwe; Gross capacity 707 MWe.[7]
Primary Function: nuclear power production
Description: In 1973, the U.S. firm Westinghouse was selected over Germany's Kraftwerk Union to construct Yugoslavia's first nuclear power plant at Krsko.[8] The construction began in 1974, and according to Yugoslav media, the country's industry built 68% of the plant.[9] Test production of electricity commenced in August 1981, and in June 1984, the Krsko plant began operation at full capacity.[10] The reactor is co-owned by Slovenia and Croatia. This pressurized water reactor (PWR) is the only power reactor still in operation in the former Yugoslavia. All construction expenses were divided 50/50 between the two nations.[11] During most of the 1990s, Croatia and Slovenia engaged in to a dispute over the Krsko plant. The dispute involved compensation owed by Croatia to Slovenia for provided electricity and ownership issues. At one point in 1998, Slovenian parliament passed a decree privatizing the plant and stopping the supply of electricity to Croatia.[12] In December 2001, Croatia and Slovenia signed an agreement regarding the ownership of the Krsko nuclear power plant, ending a decade long dispute. Under the agreement, the two countries will become equal co-owners of the plant, draw and equal share of energy, and assume responsibility for nuclear waste management. The two countries agreed to set July 1, 2002 as the deadline for ratification by both parliaments.[13] As of January 2004, the issue has not been resolved.[14]
Name: Ruđer Bošković Institute
Other Names: Boshkovich Institute
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Subordinate to:
Primary Function: Research and development
Size: 12 divisions and centers with numerous associated laboratories
Description: In 1950, the Ruđer Bošković Institute was established to collaborate with universities and institutes in Zagreb, and to train future staff for work in this field. Ruđer Bošković formed the third of a triad of institutes in Yugoslavia's nuclear program. In 1952 technicians began to design and construct the 16 megaelectronic volt (MeV) deuteron cyclotron.[15] It may have been used to research uranium enrichment, focusing on electromagnetic isotope separation methodologies.
Name: TRIGA Mark II Light-water Research Reactor
Location: Josef Stefan Institute, near Ljubljana, Slovenia
Subordinate to: Josef Stefan Institute
Size: 250 kW
Primary Function: Research and radioactive isotope production.
Description: In 1966, the TRIGA Mark II light-water research reactor began operations to produce radioactive isotopes for use in the medicinal industry and science. Its construction was partially financed by a 2 million dollar grant awarded in 1961 by the Atoms for Peace Program. Reactor staff has also used the TRIGA Mark II to research activation analyses, study shielding and safety methodologies, train students, neutron research, and irradiation of materials for manufacturing of semiconductors. The staff are also responsible for operational radioactive waste management and spent fuel management.[16]
Name: Prevlaka Nuclear Power Plant
Location: Prevlaka, on the Sava River, Croatia
Size: 1,000-1,200 MW
Primary Function: nuclear power production
Description: In 1981, the electric utility associations of Croatia and Slovenia, Zajednica Elektro-Privrednih Organizacija Hrvatske-Zeoh and Elektrogospodarstvo Slovenije-Egs, respectively, began to consider construction of a not-less-than-1,000MW nuclear power plant at Prevlaka, Croatia.[17] The Prevlaka plant was part of a larger plan by Yugoslavia to construct a series of five plants of approximately 1,000MW each.[18] The schedule for the Prevlaka plant called for the beginning of construction in 1985 and completion of construction in 1992.[19] The two electric utility associations issued a bidding call on 22 June 1984 for architect-engineering consultants for the planned Prevlaka plant.[20] The plans for the Prevlaka plant was stymied largely due to the Chernobyl accident in April 1986. As a direct result of the accident. the Croatian Parliament removed reference to the Prevlaka nuclear plant from the 1986-1990 provincial plan.[21]
Name: Zirovsky Uranium Analysis Laboratory
Location: Zirovsky, 20 km Southwest of Skofja Loka, Slovenia
Subordinate to: Ministry of Environment and Regional Planning
Size: Laboratory-scale
Primary Function: uranium analysis
Description: In 1979, under an IAEA technical cooperation project, the uranium analysis laboratory was to be established to analyze ore samples and mill products, train students in uranium ore and mill product analysis techniques, and process nuclear materials. The status of the laboratory project is unknown.[22]
Name: Zirovski vrh Uranium Mine[23]
Other Names: Zirovski Vrh, Zirosky
Location: Zirovski, 20 km Southwest of Skofja Loka, Slovenia
Subordinate to: Formerly under the Ministry of Nuclear Safety; current authority is unclear, most likely the Ministry of Energy and Mines
Size: Estimated 2200 tons of ore
Primary Function: Uranium mining
Description: The Zirosky vrh Uranium Mine was first explored for uranium exploitation in 1968. It is an underground mine that was exploited by creating a P-10 tunnel to provide access to the ore body. Ore production officially started in 1982. Uranium extraction started in 1985 until 1990 when it was put under Slovenian control and production was stopped. In total, approximately 607,700 of ore was extracted from Zirovski.[24] It was shut down in 1992 and in 2001 was undergoing decommissioning, preparing the mine for permanent abandoning of uranium mining and permanent disposition of ore that was already extracted.[25]
Name: Zirovski vrh Uranium Ore Processing Production Center
Other Names: Rudnik Urania Zirovski vrh, Zirovski vrh Uranium Mill
Location: Zirosky, 20 km Southwest of Skofja Loka, Slovenia
Subordinate to: formerly under the Ministry of Environment and Regional Planning; current authority is unclear, most likely the Ministry of Energy and Mines
Size: 90 to 120 ton uranium processing capacity
Primary Function: Uranium refinement to produce uranium ore concentrate
Description: The production center, located next to the Zirovski mine, was completed in 1984, and operated from approximately 1984 until 1990. In totally the center produced approximately 452 tons of uranium ore concentrate from relatively low grade ore (less than .1% U3O8) that was excavated at the Zirovski mine.[26] The facility consisted of a main process building, at least four other process buildings, solvent extraction and temporary disposal areas, and a truck loading site. In 1996 plans for permanently dismantling and disposing of uranium tailings as well as contaminate equipment were being developed.[27]
Name: Zletovska Reka uranium deposit
Location: Dinarides and the Macedonian Massif
Subordinate to: The Rudnik Urana Zirovski Vrh
Size: Pilot-scale
Primary Function: Mining
Description: Zletovska Reka consists of tertiary Dacite and Andesite, with Uraninite as its primary uranium mineral. The ore found at this deposit is connected with Siderite, Barite, Fluorite and Quartz as Gangue.[28] There was a pilot-scale mine constructed but a record of ore production is not available for review.[29]
[1] Andrew Koch, "Yugoslavia's Nuclear Legacy: Should We Worry?" The Nonproliferation Review, Spring/Summer 1997, <http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/npr/vol04/43/koch43.pdf>.
[2] "Nuclear Facilities and the Fuel Cycle," Paper submitted to the NEA Committeee for Technical and Economic Studies on Nuclear Energy Development and Fuel Cycle, NEA/NDC/(2002)16/ADD1, Government of Slovenia, 12-14 June 2002. p. 8.
[3] Slobodan Nakicenovic, Nuclear Energy in Yugoslavia, (Beograde: Export Press, 1961), p. 35
[4] Slobodan Nakicenovic, Nuclear Energy in Yugoslavia, (Beograde: Export Press, 1961), p. 38.
[5] Josef Stalin Institute website, <http://www.ijs.si/ijs-mission.html#achievements>.
[6] Nada Stanic, "Krsko is Focus of Dispute Between Slovenia and Croatia," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 35, No. 4, January 27, 1994 , via Lexis-Nexis.
[7] The plant's power has been listed elsewhere as 632 MW ("Krsko Nuclear Plant to Begin Test Production," Borba, August 18, 1981, in FBIS, Doc. No. FBIS-EEU-81-159); and 664 MW (Nada Stanic, "Yugoslavia Aiming to Define Next 20 Years of Nuclear Growth by Year End," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 22, No. 9, March 5, 1981, via Lexis-Nexis), and 615 MW ("Yugoslavia Takes PWR," Nuclear Engineering International, December 1973, p. 919; "Yugoslavia: Contract for First Nuclear Plant," Nuclear Engineering International, August 1974, p. 624).
[8] "Yugoslavia Takes PWR," Nuclear Engineering International, December 1973, p. 919; "Yugoslavia: Contract for First Nuclear Plant," Nuclear Engineering International, August 1974, p. 624.
[9] "Krsko Nuclear Plant to Begin Test Production," Borba, August 18, 1981, in FBIS, Doc. No. FBIS-EEU-81-159; "Krkso Nuclear Powerplant at Full Operation," Tanjug, 12 February 1982, in FBIS, Doc. No. FBIS-EEU-82-030.
[10] "Krkso Nuclear Powerplant at Full Operation," Tanjug, 12 February 1982, in FBIS, Doc. No. FBIS-EEU-82-030; Nada Stanic, "Yugoslavia Aiming to Define Next 20 Years of Nuclear Growth by Year End," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 22, No. 9, March 5, 1981, via Lexis-Nexis.
[11] "Current situation of plants in Yugoslavia," Wise News Communique, September 14, 1990.
[12] "Slovene Government Privatizes Krsko Nuclear Power Plant," Radio Slovenia, 3 August 1998 in BBC Monitoring International Reports, August 3, 1998; "Croatia, Slovenia Reach Deal on Sharing Nuclear Plant," Agence France-Presse, July 20, 2001
[13] "Croatia, Slovenia Reach Deal on Sharing Nuclear Plant," Agence France-Presse, July 20, 2001; "Slovenia, Croatia Sign Agreement on Contentious Nuclear Plant," Agence France-Presse, December 19, 2001; Nada Stanic, "Deadline Passes with Settlement for Krsko Disputes Still Uncertain," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 43, No. 28, July 11, 2002.
[14] Nada Stanic, "Krsko is Focus of Dispute Between Slovenia and Croatia," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 35, No. 4, January 27, 1994, via Lexis-Nexis; "Croatia Settles Debt With Krsko Nuclear Plant," Ljubljana Radio Slovenia Network, 11 March 1993, in FBIS, 16 March 1993, Doc. No. FBIS-EEU-93-049.
[15] Slobodan Nakicenovic, Nuclear Energy in Yugoslavia, (Beograde: Export Press, 1961), p. 42.
[16] IAEA Research Reactor Database
[17] Nada Stanic, "Yugoslav Utilities Setting Up Group to Plan Second Nuclear Plant," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 22, No. 31, August 6, 1981, via Lexis-Nexis; Nada Stanic, "Preparations for Yugoslavia's Proposed Prevlaka Nuclear Plant are Grinding," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 23, No. 18, May 6, 1982, via Lexis-Nexis
[18] Nada Stanic, "Yugoslavia Prequalifying Consultants for Nuclear Power Plant," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 25, No. 28, July 12, 1984, via Lexis-Nexis.
[19] Nada Stanic, "Preparations for Yugoslavia's Proposed Prevlaka Nuclear Plant are Grinding," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 23, No. 18, May 6, 1982, via Lexis-Nexis
[20] Nada Stanic, "Yugoslavia Prequalifying Consultants for Nuclear Power Plant," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 25, No. 28, July 12, 1984, via Lexis-Nexis.
[21] "Chernobyl Casts a Shadow," Nuclear Engineering International, June 1986, p. 2; Michael Knapik and Ann MacLachlan, "Europeans Try to Piece Together Chernobyl as Details Remain Scarce," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 27, No. 19, May 8, 1986, via Lexis-Nexis.
[22] "Establishment of a Uranium Analysis Laboratory at Zirovski," IAEA Technical Cooperation Project YUG/3/004, 1979, <http://www-tc.iaea.org/tcweb/tcprogramme/projectsbycountry/query/default.asp>.
[23] Variations in the spelling of this mine have been found. This spelling is listed at the website, although the spelling without the V has been used at other times. It seems more prevalent not to use the V.
[24] "Slovenia," Uranium 2002: Resources, Production, and Demand, NEA/IAEA, 2002.
[25] "Nuclear Facilities and the Fuel Cycle," Paper submitted to the NEA Committeee for Technical and Economic Studies on Nuclear Energy Development and Fuel Cycle, NEA/NDC/(2002)16/ADD1, Government of Slovenia, 12-14 June 2002. p. 8.
[26] "Operation of Nuclear Facilities - The Zirovski Vrh Mine," Slovenian Nuclear Safety Commission, 1995 <http://www.sigov.si/ursjv/porocila/ang/95/5_3a.html>; "Nuclear Facilities and the Fuel Cycle," Paper submitted to the NEA Committeee for Technical and Economic Studies on Nuclear Energy Development and Fuel Cycle, NEA/NDC/(2002)16/ADD1, Government of Slovenia, 12-14 June 2002. p. 8.
[27] Igor Zabukovec, Zmago Logar, Stanko Arh, "Decommissioning of the Zirovski vrh Uranium Mill," Regional Meeting: Nuclear Energy in Central Europe 96, 1996, <http://www2.ijs.si/~icjt/djs/port96/abs72.html>.
[28] Maurice Degraaf., "Europe," Uranium Resource page, 2000, <http://www.xs4all.nl/~weikamp7/europe.htm>.
[29] Andrew Koch, "Yugoslavia's Nuclear Legacy: Should We Worry?" The Nonproliferation Review, Spring/Summer 1997, <http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/npr/vol04/43/koch43.pdf>.
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