The Valindaba site, also known as Pelindaba East or Y-plant,[1] was an experimental uranium enrichment plant, located 35 km west of Pretoria, Gauteng province, South Africa. Valindaba is a Zulu word that means "about this we do not speak at all".[2] The plant's name is consistent with South African government's policy of official secrecy that concealed the plant's role in nuclear weapons production.[3]
History
Y-Plant was completed in 1975 by the Uranium Enrichment Corporation of South Africa (UCOR) and started producing HEU in 1978.[4] During the 1970s, it was speculated that Valindaba may have supported the production of nuclear weapons.[5]
It was shut down for almost two years following an accident in 1979, but was back in production by 1981 and since that time produced all the fuel required by SAFARI-1.[4]
Y-Plant ceased production on 1 February 1991 and was dismantled the same year.[6]
In 1992, it was revealed that the plant had enriched uranium for the production of nuclear weapons.[3]
The plant used the Helikon vortex separation process, a process developed in South Africa, to accumulate the uranium 235 isotope.
See also
References
- ^ "Valindaba / Pelindaba East". Retrieved 2006-09-05.
- ^ "South Africa shops for uranium enrichment partners (1975)". Playground Daily News. 1975-06-12. p. 37. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ^ a b "Abandoned nuclear plant opened (1992)". The Titusville Herald. 1992-04-17. p. 7. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ^ a b Cochran, Thomas B. (1993-10-13). "High-Enriched Uranium Production for South African Nuclear Weapons" (PDF). Science and Global Security. 4 (2): 6. doi:10.1080/08929889408426398.
- ^ "USA considers atomic fuel trade with South Africa (1978)". The Eagle. 1978-07-02. p. 18. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ^ Cochran, Thomas B. (1993-10-13). "High-Enriched Uranium Production for South African Nuclear Weapons" (PDF). Science and Global Security. 4 (2): 7. doi:10.1080/08929889408426398.