STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR MINERALS AND ENERGY

<

^ 4 - 0  vv

(THE HON. R.F.X. CONNOR, M.P.)

The Australian Atomic Energy Commission

has joined the Association for Centrifuge Enrichment

(A.C.E.) at its first meeting in London on Friday

June 1, 1973, the Minister for Minerals and Energy,

Mr R.F.X. Connor said today.

Nine' other countries have joined in

addition to Australia, and the three member countries

(Britain, West Germany, and the Netherlands) of the

Tripartite Organisation set up under the Treaty of

Almelo, July 1971.

The Tripartite Organisation has set up a

company to develop and manufacture gas centrifuges

(Centec GmbH), and a second company to produce

enriched uranium by the centrifuge process (Urenco Ltd.).

,Mr Connor said that he had authorised the

Australian Atomic Energy Commission to join the

Association for Centrifuge Enrichment for which Urenco

Ltd. had issued an invitation.

The objects of the Association are to study

and assess matters related to the enrichment of

uranium by the centrifuge method. This includes

technical and economic features of the centrifuge

process and the financing, construction and siting

of centrifuge enrichment plants.

. ./2

2

The study will occupy about one year and

will be carried out by a study group in London on which

the Australian Atomic Energy Commission will be

represented. Participation in the Association involves

no commitment on the part of Australia to participate

in' the construction of any centrifuge enrichment plant

in Europe or in Australia.

Mr Connor said, however, that Australia's

involvement in the study will provide information

which could be useful in assessing the possibilities

for enriching Australia's uranium resources in plants

located in this country. .

The Australian Atomic Energy Commission will

be. able to keep in close touch with developments

generally in the uranium enrichment field.

CANBERRA 4th June, 1973.

