Before the Yellowcake: Closing Safeguards Gaps at the Mining and Milling Stages

Volume: 67, December 2025, pages 37-46

Authors: Rebecca Pantani^a, Océane Van Geluwe^b

^a Private Sector, Via dei Mille 21, Santa Croce Sull’Arno (PI), Italy, 56029.
^b Omexom P&P Vinci Energies Belgium, Av. Georges Lemaître 49, Charleroi, Belgium, 6041 *The views presented in this article are those of the authors and do not represent the views of the organizations or institutions with which they are affiliated.
 

Abstract: The global resurgence of nuclear energy as a sustainable, low-carbon power source is driving a sharp rise in uranium demand, spurred by concerns over energy security, climate change, and the transition from fossil fuels. This surge has prompted both established and emerging nations to expand uranium mining operations, raising urgent challenges for safeguarding nuclear materials. While countries with mature regulatory systems, such as Kazakhstan, must adapt to the scale-up of activities, new entrants face steep implementation hurdles in aligning with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. The proliferation risks are particularly acute in politically unstable regions where not established oversight can lead to illicit access to uranium. To address these threats, a collaborative international response is essential, prioritizing regulatory reform, capacity building, and the integration of cost-effective monitoring technologies. This article is a proposal to analyze the key vulnerabilities in uranium supply chains and explores practical, existing, scalable solutions to ensure that the growth of nuclear energy remains secure and peaceful.

Keywords: Uranium Mining, Safeguards, Proliferation, Illicit Access, Security Threat.

Reference guideline: Pantani, R., Van Geluwe, O. ( 2025, December). Before the Yellowcake: Closing Safeguards Gaps at the Mining and
Milling Stages, ESARDA Bulletin - The International Journal of Nuclear Safeguards and Non-proliferation, 67, 37-46.
https://doi.org/10.3011/ESARDA.IJNSNP.2025.3