Asia-Pacific

Mongolia says no to US spent nuclear waste

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-08 15:10

ULAN BATOR - The Mongolian Foreign Ministry denied the news about the possibility for Mongolia to accept the region's spent nuclear fuel, local media reported on Friday.

Earlier reports said the United States had held informal talks with Mongolia trying to persuade the government to accept the spent nuclear fuel from the region, which use US-origin fresh uranium rods and have few options to the disposal of the spent nuclear fuel.

A statement released by ministry said the Mongolian law prohibits importing and transiting transportation of dangerous nuclear waste. The purposes of use, store, temporary placement and disposal the dangerous wastes are also banned by the law.

The news about the nuclear waste had caused widely opposition in Mongolia. Local media had paid special attention to it for a period. There is also petition site on the internet that launches a global campaign to collect signatures to oppose the incident.