Indonesia

Nuclear Facilities Profiles

While a few gaps and questions remain, on balance, it appears that Indonesia has largely succeeded in developing an indigenous nuclear fuel cycle. Unfortunately, it is difficult to ascertain via open sources how viable the cycle is without international assistance. Evidence indicates that Indonesia’s work in the fields of uranium milling, processing and conversion has (thus far) only been conducted on a laboratory scale. However, several notable nuclear facilities have been established. Three research reactors are currently in operation and a fourth is planned. Indonesia has announced ambitious plans to construct multiple nuclear power reactors (with international assistance) in the future.

Following is a summary list of Indonesia’s nuclear fuel cycle, including relevant facilities (separated by function):

Nuclear Mining and Milling

It appears that Indonesia has two established mines, both in the West Kalimantan uranium district. The first, Remaja-Hitam Ore Body is a uranium vein in fine grained metamorphous rock and is thought to contain between 5000 and 10000 tons of uranium with a grade range of between 0.10 and 0.30.(1) Also, known as the Edo-Remaja prospect, this reserve is reportedly capable of providing Indonesia with a supply of yellowcake sufficient to meet domestic needs for planned reactors.(2) The second mine, Rirang-Tanah Merah Ore Body is also a uranium vein in fine grained metamorphous rock, though it is thought to contain less than 500 tons U and have a grade range of between 0.30 and 1.00. While it is estimated that Indonesia can produce about 770 tons of uranium per year, the aforementioned mines are currently thought to be dormant. Should it prove economically viable or politically necessary, Indonesia can probably mine enough uranium from its domestic reserves to provide yellowcake for its planned nuclear power reactors.

(1) IAEA UDEPO – World Distribution of Uranium Deposits, and Universal News [Online] http://www-nfcis.iaea.org/iNFCISNavigation.asp.

(2) ‘Uranium Exploration,’ Project Number INS/3/008, IAEA-TC Project Datasheet, Completed 1990-12-22. [Online] http://www-tc.iaea.org/.

Ore Processing

In 1985, Indonesia established a laboratory for uranium ore processing in Jakarta.(3) Presumably under the control of the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN); Centre for Exploration and Processing of Nuclear Materials, open sources indicate that in 1985 this facility received about 175 of domestically mined uranium ore for processing.(4) At present, reports indicate that the National Nuclear Energy Agency is able to process enough yellowcake for conversion into UO2 pellets to provide target fuel elements for Indonesia’s research reactors. However, whether or not this facility is capable of meeting the processing needs for Indonesia’s planned nuclear power reactors cannot be discerned from open sources.

(3) ‘Uranium Ore Processing,’ Project Number INS/3/007, IAEA-TC Project Datasheet, Completed 1985-10-21. [Online] http://www-tc.iaea.org/.

(4) “Uranium Ore Processing,” Project Number INS/3/007, IAEA-TC Project Datasheet, Completed 1985-10-21. [Online] http://www-tc.iaea.org/ and, “Nangapinoh,” Geological Research and Development Centre, Indonesia, 2003. [Online] http://www.grdc.esdm.go.id/Product/map/Kalimantan/Nangapinoh-des.asp.

Conversion

Evidence suggests that since, 1991 Indonesia has possessed an established uranium conversion capability at the Research Center for Nuclear Techniques at Bandung, located in Yogyakarta. This facility reportedly purifies domestically produced yellowcake and converts it into UO2 powders, which are then used to construct UO2 pellets.(5) While the Research Center for Nuclear Techniques at Bandung is capable of producing sufficient UO2 powder to provide significant quantities of fuel elements for Indonesia’s research reactors, open sources do not indicate whether or not it is capable of meeting the needs of its planned power reactors.

(5) ‘Fuel Element Technology,’ Project Number INS/4/017, IAEA-TC Project Datasheet, Completed 1991-12-17. [Online] http://www-tc.iaea.org/ and, ‘Nuclear Fuel Fabrication,’ Project Number INS/4/015, IAEA-TC Project Datasheet, Completed 1981-09-08. [Online] http://www-tc.iaea.org/.

Fuel Fabrication

As early as 1981, it is believed that Indonesia developed the capacity for nuclear fuel fabrication (from UO2 powder) at the National Nuclear Energy Agency’s Research Reactor Centre in Bandung.(6) In 1991, Indonesia’s Research Centre for Nuclear Techniques reportedly established the capability to fabricate nuclear fuel elements from domestically produced UO2 powder. Indonesia is believed to be capable of UO2 pellet fabrication, short fuel pin fabrication and end-plug to tube welding.(7)

(6) ‘Nuclear Fuel Fabrication,’ Project Number INS/4/015, IAEA-TC Project Datasheet, Completed 1981-09-08. [Online] http://www-tc.iaea.org/.

(7) ‘Fuel Element Technology,’ Project Number INS/4/017, IAEA-TC Project Datasheet, Completed 1991-12-17. [Online] http://www-tc.iaea.org/.

Power Reactors

Although it is the world’s largest producer of natural gas, Indonesia is currently thought to be undertaking an ambitious nuclear power plant construction programme to meet its growing energy needs. While the perceived goal of the program is to eventually build 12 nuclear power production facilities, current planning calls for construction to commence on the first plant by 2010, with operational capability to be achieved by 2016.(8)

(8) Asia Pulse/Antara, ‘Nuclear Power Plant Could Be Operational BY 2016,’ Asia Times, November 18, 2003. [Online] http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/EK18Ae03.html.

Reprocessing

Indonesia has no nuclear reprocessing facility at this time. Nor does it appear to have experimented in reprocessing operations in the past. However, with its well established nuclear research programmes it is technically feasible that Indonesia could develop the ability to reprocess spent fuel.

Waste Disposal

The activities of waste treatment, storage, and disposal studies are principally performed by the Center for Development of Radioactive Waste Management of the Indonesian National Energy Agency, BATAN. In 1990, Indonesia completed a six year project to improve its radioactive waste management programme for the disposal of spent fuel from its research reactors.(9) This project benefited from IAEA assistance and Indonesia is currently thought to operate in accordance with international norms. In 1993, the NEWJEC Inc. study concluded that nuclear power reactors should use an open fuel cycle with direct disposal of spent fuel that will need to be selected at least two decades after the opening of a reactor.(10)

(9) ‘Radioactive Waste Management,’ Project Number INS/9/006, IAEA-TC Project Datasheet, Completed 1990-12-27. [Online] http://www-tc.iaea.org/.

(10) ‘Indonesia: Location and Capability of Nuclear Facilities’, Reaching Critical Will http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/legal/npt/shadowreport/indonesia.pdf.

Research and Development

Indonesia has a well established nuclear research program which spans nearly five decades. With four nuclear research facilities in operation (located in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Serpong), a cadre of trained professionals and ties to the IAEA, foreign capitals, universities, and research labs, BATAN has long conducted research projects and published papers on sundry nuclear development related matters.

Research Reactors

Indonesia’s National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN) currently operates three nuclear research reactors located in: Serpong (GA SIWABESSY, a 30 MW MTR, pool type reactor); Yogyakarta (KARTINI-PPNY, a 100 kW Triga Mark II reactor); and, Bandung (BANDUNG, a 1,000 kW Triga Mark II reactor). A fourth (RIP, a 10,000 kW pool type reactor) is planned, but details of the production schedule are unavailable via open sources. Indonesia’s research reactor program is both well established and broadly respected. It is because of its research reactor program that Indonesia has been able to train a large cadre of nuclear technicians and engineers, publish countless research papers, conduct sundry nuclear studies, participate in cooperative development programs, and cultivate the capability to viably pursue its planned nuclear power program.

Conclusions

While Indonesia operates under IAEA safeguards and (since 1966) has pursued only peaceful applications for its nuclear technology, it is conceivable that, should it adopt a radical shift in its nuclear policy, Indonesia could pursue uranium enrichment and weaponization programs. Additionally, the perceived threat posed by the questionable security of Indonesia’s radioactive waste management facilities has engendered much scrutiny from international observers. While there is little open source evidence to suggest that Indonesia would actively proliferate technology to non-nuclear nations, it is conceivable that terrorist organizations could utilize its spent waste in a radiological device (“dirty bomb”).

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