Tons of uranium missing from Libyan site, IAEA tells member states

https://www.reuters.com ^

[algore]

VIENNA, March 15 (Reuters) - U.N. nuclear watchdog inspectors have found that roughly 2.5 tons of natural uranium have gone missing from a Libyan site that is not under government control, the watchdog told member states in a statement on Wednesday seen by Reuters.

The finding is the result of an inspection originally planned for last year that "had to be postponed because of the security situation in the region" and was finally carried out on Tuesday, according to the confidential statement by International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi.

IAEA inspectors "found that 10 drums containing approximately 2.5 tons of natural uranium in the form of UOC (uranium ore concentrate) previously declared by (Libya) ... as being stored at that location were not present at the location," the one-page statement said.

The agency would carry out "further activities" to determine the circumstances of the uranium's removal from the site, which it did not name, and where it is now, the statement added.

"The loss of knowledge about the present location of nuclear material may present a radiological risk, as well as nuclear security concerns," it said, adding that reaching the site required "complex logistics".

In 2003 Libya under then-leader Muammar Gaddafi renounced its nuclear weapons programme, which had obtained centrifuges that can enrich uranium as well as design information for a nuclear bomb, though it made little progress towards a bomb.

Libya has had little peace since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising ousted Gaddafi. Since 2014, political control has been split between rival eastern and western factions, with the last major bout of conflict ending in 2020.

[algore]

Suspect seen speeding away at high speed in a silver Delorean

[dfwgator]

[BobL]

Well, it WAS under control - until Skunk Cabbage decided to overthrow their government.

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[no-to-illegals]

How much uranium does it take to create glass in a sandbox ?

[dforest]

She came, she saw, he died. The place has been a disaster ever since.

The US can’t stay away from destroying everything in its path anymore.

[PGR88]

[HollyB]

“Libya has had little peace since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising ousted Gaddafi. Since 2014, political control has been split between rival eastern and western factions, with the last major bout of conflict ending in 2020.”

Seems like a contradiction to their earlier statements “ The finding is the result of an inspection originally planned for last year that “had to be postponed because of the security situation in the region”

The Arab spring was a disaster. The US needs to stop meddling in foreign govt affairs.

[NWFree]

Hillary probably sold it to the Russians

[DesertRhino]

In other news, large boats filled with hostile migrants and their bags are landing all across the Mediterranean.

[nagant]

Isn’t “natural uranium” pretty low yield?

[verum ago]

How much uranium does it take to create glass in a sandbox ?

Well, Wikipedia (I know, I know) states about 15 kg of U-235 for a small, practical fission weapon. Given it's natural abundance, I get 2.5 tonnes of concentrate as giving up to 15.26 kg U-235, so yeah, this about one glassing's worth, in theory.

[Does so]

‘Pretty sure I know where it went...

[no-to-illegals]

Wow …. The internet had a he answer and you provided Thanks

[BenLurkin]

[algore]

One of those countries starting with an ‘I’ probably

Likely one we all know has nukes but has never admitted it

[jpp113]

Betya either India, Iran and/or North Korea bought it

[verum ago]

I missed that the non-yellowcake 10-ish % of uranium ore concentrate is still mostly other uranium oxides, so make that more like 16-16.5 kg U-235 from 2.5 tonnes of missing concentrates. Given some inefficiencies, but offset by only needing 90% for a weapon...

Yeah, so for your question:

How much uranium does it take to create glass in a sandbox ?

My answer is: pretty much the same amount that just went missing...

Hopefully whomever has it is on the Israeli's radar. Concentrating the U-235 is the hardest step, and it's notably harder when your equipment suffers laser-guided bomb related damage.

[jpp113]

Come to think of it, maybe Israel took it away from them in an Entebbe type raid

[SaveFerris]

It was Twin Pines Mall

Then Lone Pine Mall

Then back to Twin Pines Mall