Identification of Uranium Mill Sites from Open Source Satellite Images (NIAS Report No. R34-2015)

Chandrashekar, S and Sundaresan, Lalitha and Jasani, Bhupendra (2015) Identification of Uranium Mill Sites from Open Source Satellite Images (NIAS Report No. R34-2015). Report. National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

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Abstract: Openly available satellite imagery now provides a possible way to monitor nuclear fuel cycle activities. The early detection of new Uranium mining and milling operations and the routine monitoring of existing mines and mills using such imagery could make a valuable contribution to the oversight and monitoring function of organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). A review of the existing literature suggests that Uranium mines do not offer special spectral or spatial signatures that uniquely identify them in a satellite image. However the various processes involved in the conversion of Uranium ore into yellowcake, offers interesting possibilities for the use of satellite imagery. A sample set of 13 mills across the world were selected for investigation. For each of the mill sites detailed process flow sheets were built up using information available in the public domain. Satellite imagery especially Google Earth (GE) Images were then studied to generate a set of interpretation keys. These keys link the operations in the mill sites to the observables in the satellite image. The shapes and sizes of the features seen and their position in the process chain provided a set of signatures that could be used to identify a Uranium mill.
Item Type: Monograph (Report)
Additional Information: Copyright belongs to Author
Subjects: International Strategic and Security Studies Programme > Projects
Divisions: Schools > International Strategic and Security Studies Programme
Date Deposited: 05 Jan 2016 10:34
Last Modified: 17 Dec 2020 17:28
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    Funders: UNSPECIFIED
    Projects: UNSPECIFIED
    DOI: 978-93-83566-16-7
    URI: http://eprints.nias.res.in/id/eprint/867

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