Good practice, training and education in uranium production cycle: development of an international network - UPNET

The IAEA's programmes encompass all aspects of the uranium production cycle, (UPC). The IAEA collaborates with member states to organize training activities, workshops and technical meetings that promote good practices in UPC. The present paper presents an international, interactive and web based initiative, UPNET, Uranium Production Network for Education and Training. Ramp-up of uranium production to 2030 will see new mines starting with lower grade resources after 25 years of UPC stagnation. Many emerging operations are based in countries with limited skills and experience. Constraints with people who can teach, train and consult are expected. Good practices in UPC by qualified personnel can help develop economically viable operations and avoid environmental legacies which have characterized many uranium mining projects in earlier times. Creation of an international network for training and education in UPC would be a substantial step forward in resolving the rising demand for skilled personnel. Developing contacts with potential participants and contributors has begun. A meeting of specialists is planned to promote a vision, framework and structure of the network; meanwhile development of the systems at IAEA that will carry the network has begun and these will be configured to suit UPNET as well as other networks that serve topics across IAEA's Nuclear Fuel Cycle program. (author)