Q&A: Best practice for transport of uranium ore concentrates

Caroline Peachey

Mon, Jul 14, 2025, 9:35 AM 7 min read

The World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI) recently updated its standard on Packaging and Transport of Uranium Concentrates. The fourth version of the standard, published in March, outlines industry best practices to ensure the security and safety of communities and the environment during transport of natural uranium ore concentrates.

Established in 1998, WNTI represents the collective interests of the nuclear transport industry and works closely with international organisations, regulators and industry stakeholders to promote best practices and harmonised transport standards.

In the front-end of the nuclear fuel cycle, WNTI is involved in the logistics and standards setting out the legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding the transport of materials such as uranium ore concentrate (UOC), uranium hexafluoride (UF₆), enriched uranium and fuel assemblies.

With increased attention on the nuclear industry and the recent surge in investment into uranium exploration, Mining Technology speaks to WNTI to learn more about the standard, which covers the latest requirements for packaging, shipping and transport of uranium concentrates.

Responses to this Q&A were provided by Marc-Andre Charette, director, transportation, security and regulatory relations at Cameco Corporation and Steve Hansen, chief compliance officer at TAM International, a radioactive material transport solutions provider.

WNTI: The transport of UOC is governed by a combination of international regulations, national laws and industry best practices to ensure safety, security, and environmental protection.

The main international regulatory frameworks and requirements include the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Specific Safety Requirements (SSR-6), Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material; UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Orange Book) and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

Key national and regional regulations are Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) – Transportation (US); Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations (Canada); the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (European Union) and other modal regulations.

WNTI: Transporting UOC requires a specialised approach due to a combination of radiological, chemical, regulatory and reputational factors that distinguish it from typical industrial commodities. This is due to: