The FNCA 2019 Workshop on Radiation Safety and Radioactive Waste Management (RS&RWM) was held from 1st to 3rd October 2019 at Silk Path Hotel Hanoi. The workshop was jointly organised by the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan. Twenty nine representatives involved in policymaking, regulatory, operations, and research and development for radiation safety and radioactive waste management from 11 FNCA member countries attended the workshop, namely Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The program of the workshop is attached as Annex 1. The list of participants is attached in Annex 2.

[Workshop]

On opening the workshop, Dr Tran Ngoc Toan, Vice President of VINATOM, and Mr Wada Tomoaki, FNCA Coordinator of Japan delivered a welcoming speech. Following the opening session, Mr Wada reported the FNCA Achievements in 2018 and 2019, and Dr Le Thi Mai Huong presented the Vietnam's achievements in FNCA activities. After the introductory session, the participants delivered a presentation on the current situation of Low-level Radioactive Waste Repository in their countries. Following the country report, Dr Nguyen Ba Tien from Vietnam and Dr Norasalwa Binti Zakaria from Malaysia gave a presentation on NORM ^*1 /TENORM ^*2 and Disposal of Disused Sources respectively. On the second day, Dr Namba Hideki, FNCA Advisor of Japan introduced the MEXT's Human Resources Development programs and FNCA activities related to the Radiation Safety and Radioactive Waste Management project. After his presentation, the participants were divided into three groups and discussed on their drafts for general part and specific part of the "Consolidated Report on Low-level Radioactive Waste Repository". In the afternoon, eleven countries introduced their hot topics using a poster.
With the closing remarks from Dr Le Thi Mai Huong, Prof Kosako Toshiso and Dr Namba Hideki, the workshop was officially declared closed. The summary of the speeches is attached in Annex 3.

*1 NORM: Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials
*2 TENORM: Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials

[Technical Visit]

A technical visit to Yen Phu Rare Earth JSC, Yen Bai Province was conducted on 3rd October.

Poster Session from Dr Norasalwa (Nuclear Malaysia)

Photo of Discussion

The FNCA 2019 Workshop on Radiation Safety and Radioactive Waste Management (RS&RWM) was held from 1st to 3rd October 2019, at Silk Path Hotel Hanoi. The workshop was jointly organised by the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan.

Twenty-nine (29) representatives involved in policymaking, regulatory, operations, and research and development for radiation safety and radioactive waste management from 11 FNCA member countries attended the workshop, namely Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The program of the workshop is attached as Annex 1. The list of participants is attached in Annex 2.

Session 1: Opening

Dr Tran Ngoc Toan, Vice President of VINATOM and FNCA Coordinator of Vietnam, and Mr Wada Tomoaki, FNCA Coordinator of Japan delivered a welcoming speech. Both of them emphasized the importance of radioactive waste management in the member countries, and wished the success of workshop.

Session 2: Introduction

First, Mr Wada gave a presentation on the FNCA Achievements in 2018 and 2019. In his presentation, he introduced the Conclusion and Recommendation issued by the 19th FNCA Coordinators Meeting in which the project is suggested to assist member countries with safety improvement of low level radioactive waste management. Next, Dr Le Thi Mai Huong, FNCA Project Leader of Vietnam presented on the Vietnam's achievements in FNCA activities. In her presentation, she explained that through the activities of the FNCA RS&RWM project, especially the exchange of information and experiences among participating countries, understanding of, and correct information about, Radioactive Waste Management has been promoted, especially the technical viewpoints. Finally, Prof Kosako Toshiso, Project Leader of Japan reported the overview of the project, in which he explained about the consolidated report to be discussed during the workshop. The summary of each report is attached in Annex 3.

Session 3: Country Report

Eleven (11) countries reported their progress, challenges, problems and future plans for low-level radioactive waste repository or repositories. The summary of each report is attached in Annex 3.

Session4: Presentation on NORM/TENORM and Disposal of Disused Sources

Dr Nguyen Ba Tien from Vietnam and Dr Norasalwa Binti Zakaria from Malaysia gave a presentation on NORM/TENORM and Disposal of Disused Sources respectively. Dr Tien presented on the NORM/TENORM disposal in Vietnam and introduced the issue of managing tailings wastes in uranium processing experiments, in mining and processing beach sand minerals, in exploiting and processing rare earth ores and in ZOC (Zircon) production. Dr Norasalwa presented on the disposal of disused sources in Malaysia referring to their borehole disposal system, and explained site location and site characterization, safety assessment and plans for the years to come. The summary of each report is attached in Annex 3.

Session 5: Introduction of MEXT HRD Program and FNCA Activities Related to the RS&RWM Project

Dr Namba Hideki, FNCA Advisor of Japan introduced the MEXT Human Resources Development programs and FNCA activities related to the Radiation Safety and Radioactive Waste Management project. According to Prof Kosako, some fellows have attained important positions of their institutes after completing the program including chair or president of the organization. Furthermore, six people among the workshop participants had an experience to join the MEXT HRD program before. The summary of report is attached in Annex 3.

Session 6 & 7: Group Discussion on Consolidated Report

The participants discussed on the general part and specific part of consolidated report. The revised drafts of the general and specific reports from each country are to be sent to Ms Tanida by Fri 29 November 2019. The report will come from the FNCA project leaders in each country.

Session 8: Poster Session

Eleven (11) countries introduced their hot topics using a poster. The title of each poster is as shown below:

• Australia: ILW Storage at the Australian LLW Repository: Centralised Storage of Intermediate Level Waste Benefits and Disadvantages
• Bangladesh: Activities of Heath Physics & Radioactive Waste Management Unit (HPRWMU)
• China: Unbalanced Development between Nuclear Energy Boom and Radioactive Waste Disposal Site Construction in China
• Indonesia: Study on Inventory and Repository of TENORM Waste from Tin Industry in Bangka Island Indonesia
• Japan: Decontamination Evaluation and Reduction of Radioactive Waste / JAEA actions in Fukushima
• Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan's Activities on Bringing the Territory of the Former Semipalatinsk Test Site to Safety State
• Malaysia: Strengthening Radiation Safety and Facilities Upgrade at the National Radioactive Waste Management Center
• Mongolia: Radiation Safety and Radioactive Waste Management in Mongolia
• Philippines: Radioactive Waste Management in the Philippines Moving Forward
• Thailand: Radioactive Waste Management Support Megaport Initiative at Laem Chabang Seaport Thailand
• Vietnam: A Study on a Closed-Loop Production of Coagulants and Pigments without Secondary Wastes from Vietnam Red Mud

The summary of each report is attached in Annex 3.

Session 9: Three-year Evaluation

As this year is the final year of the current phase, the participants discussed the completion of the final report of the project activities of 6th phase (2017-2019). Results of the discussion will be reflected in the three-year evaluation document. The proposals for the 7th phase, which will be starting from next year (2020), were discussed. The discussion was mainly around NORM/ TENORM management for the next phase. These documents are to be returned to Ms Tanida by Fri 20 December 2019.

Session 10: Summary

This summary was adopted by the participants.

Session 11: Closing

With the closing remarks from Dr Le Thi Mai Huong, Prof Kosako Toshiso and Dr Namba Hideki, the workshop was officially declared closed.

Technical Visit to Yen Phu Rare Earth JSC, Yen Bai Province

A technical visit to Yen Phu Rare Earth JSC, Yen Bai Province was conducted on 3rd October.

Day 1 (Tuesday, 1 October): Workshop

Day 2 (Wednesday, 2 October): Workshop

Day 3 (Thursday, 3 October): Technical Visit

Yen Phu Rare Earth JSC, Yen Bai Province
Rare Earth Mine

Australia

Mr Duncan Kemp
Manager, Waste Management Services
Nuclear Operations
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)

Bangladesh

Dr M. Moinul Islam (PL)
Chief Scientific Officer,
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC)

China

Mr Qin Guoqiang
Deputy Director of Environmental Protection and Radiation Safety Department,
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)

Indonesia

Dr Dadong Iskandar
Senior Researcher,
Center for Radioactive Waste Technology,
National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN)

Japan

Mr Wada Tomoaki
FNCA Coordinator of Japan

Dr Namba Hideki
FNCA Advisor of Japan

Prof Kosako Toshiso (PL)
Professor Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

Mr Saito Tatsuo
Assistant Principal Engineer,
Predisposal Management Office
Planning Department
Decommissioning and Radioactive Waste Management Head Office
Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA)

Dr Hashimoto Makoto
General Manager,
Radiation Dosimetry and Environmental Monitoring Section,
Radiation Protection Department,
O-arai Research and Development Institute,
Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA)

Kazakhstan

Mr Yevgeniy Tur (PL)
Senior Engineer,
National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Malaysia

Dr Norasalwa Binti Zakaria (PL)
Unit Manager,
Malaysian Nuclear Agency

Mongolia

Ms Uranchimeg Batdelger
Senior officer,
The Executive of Nuclear Energy Commission,
Government of Mongolia

Philippines

Ms Kristine Marie Dacallo Romallosa
Supervising Science Research Specialist,
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)

Thailand

Mr Nikom Prasertchiewchan
Manager of Radioactive Waste Management Center,
Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT)

Mr Witsanu Katekaew
Head of Radioactive Waste Management Section,
Radioactive Waste Management Center,
Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT)

Vietnam

Dr Tran Ngoc Toan (CD)
Vice President,
Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM)

Assoc. Prof. Dr Le Thi Mai Huong (PL)
Deputy Director,
Institute for Technology of Radioactive & Rare Elements (ITRRE)

Mr Nguyen Ba Tien
Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM)

Ms Doan Thi Thu Hien
Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM)

Mr Le Hong Minh
Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM)

Secretariat

Ms Tanida Ayako
International Affairs and Research Department,
Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA)