Establishment of National Nuclear Forensic Capabilities in South Africa

The consultative process has already been initiated in South Africa for the establishment of a national nuclear forensics capability unit. South Africa being a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and having signed the nuclear NonProliferation Treaty (NPT), is actively participating in many activities striving to strengthen national and international nuclear security and safeguards systems. To further intensify its commitment towards achieving nuclear weapon-free societies, South Africa is currently exploring some various avenues to establish nuclear forensics capabilities. A comprehensive plan has been developed which maps out different phases to be undergone during the process of nuclear forensics capability establishment. These phases include aspects such as national and international consultative processes, cooperation initiatives, benchmarking, state of national skills and expertise, training channels, instrumentation and equipment status. This paper is intended to present some initial findings and progress made in this initiative of establishing nuclear forensics capabilities in South Africa. South Africa is currently working together with some highly rated advanced nuclear forensics laboratories in the United States of America (USA) such as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratories. Efforts have already been made to design a joint project between The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and the two stated USA laboratories to introduce some mode of technical exercises in supporting nuclear forensics analysis and data sharing initiative processes