South Africa Seeks New Reactor to Sustain Mo-99 Output

South African state-owned Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA) has launched a tender to replace its aging nuclear research reactor, Safari 1, and help maintain its position as one of the world's top producers of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) for medical diagnostic imaging.

Molybdenum-99, or Mo-99, is used in millions of diagnostic tests worldwide for cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. NTP Radioisotopes is a subsidiary of the NECSA and uses the 20 MW Safari 1 research reactor at Pelindaba, which has been in operation since 1965, to produce molybdenum-99.

In early 2018, the plant had to shut down for three months after a hydrogen leak was detected. NECSA said it is currently in the maintenance and upkeep phase as it issues a request for information (RFI) to the market as the first step in a bidding process to help gauge the interest of potential suppliers in building a new multipurpose reactor (MPR).

"MPR will continue its tradition of producing medical radioisotopes that are used to treat thousands of patients diagnosed with cancer around the world," said Loyiso Tyabashe, CEO of NECSA Group, in a statement.

NECSA said NTP is among the top four global suppliers of medical radioisotopes to the United States, Japan, and countries in Europe and the Middle East. Requests for information ended March 10, the company added.

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (SANEC) is a public company established in 1999 under the Nuclear Energy Act of the Republic of South Africa.

Necsa replaced the country's Atomic Energy Corporation. The main functions of Necsa are to conduct and promote research and development in the field of nuclear energy and related technologies; to handle and store nuclear and other restricted materials, and to coordinate with other organizations on matters falling within these fields.

In addition to its main operations for Mo-99 production in Pelindaba, Necsa operates the Vaalputs radioactive waste disposal facility. The company also provides services for the country's other nuclear agency obligations.

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