Topic — ARSN Niger

Safeguards & SSAC

The State System of Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials (SSAC) enables the IAEA to verify that Niger's nuclear materials are not diverted for military purposes.

Material accounting IAEA inspections Non-proliferation Periodic declarations
100% Declared materials
IAEA reports/year
0 Discrepancy found
2002 INFCIRC in force
Definition

What is the SSAC?

The SSAC (State System of Accounting and Control) is the national system for accounting and controlling nuclear materials that each IAEA member state is required to establish under its safeguards agreement.

It allows the State to measure and verify the quantity and location of all nuclear materials on its territory, and to transmit this information to the IAEA for independent inspection and verification.

In Niger, this system is managed by ARSN's Safeguards and SSAC Directorate, in coordination with mining operators (SOMAÏR, IMOURAREN) and other holders of nuclear materials.

Niger SSAC Architecture
AIEA Independent verification
ARSN National SSAC authority
Operators SOMAÏR, IMOURAREN…
Accounting scope

Nuclear materials subject to safeguards

All nuclear materials present on Nigerien territory are subject to declaration and accounting, regardless of their quantity or use.

U 92

Uranium

  • Natural uranium (ore, concentrate, UO₂)
  • Depleted uranium (processing residues)
  • Low enriched uranium (LEU)
Niger's main material — SOMAÏR mines
Pu 94

Plutonium

  • Reactor plutonium (not applicable Niger)
  • Trace quantities in certain equipment
Negligible presence in Niger
Th 90

Thorium

  • Natural thorium in certain ores
  • Calibration sources containing thorium
Mandatory declaration from 1 kg
D₂O

Eau lourde

  • Not currently applicable in Niger
  • Required if heavy water nuclear reactor
For information — complete IAEA framework
Operational process

The material accounting cycle

The declaration obligations of nuclear material holders in Niger follow a structured annual cycle.

01

Physical inventory

Annuel

Each operator carries out an annual physical inventory of all its nuclear materials. Weighing, measurements, documentary verification.

02

Inventory report (PIL)

Within 30 days

The operator transmits the Physical Inventory Listing (PIL) to ARSN within 30 days of the inventory.

03

Inventory change report (ICR)

Within 15 days

Any change: receipt, dispatch, transformation or loss of nuclear materials is declared to ARSN within 15 days.

04

Transmission to the IAEA

Trimestriel

ARSN consolidates the data received from operators and transmits it to the IAEA via the SRS (Safeguards Reporting System).

05

IAEA inspection

Planifiée

IAEA inspectors carry out on-site inspections to independently verify the accuracy of Niger's declarations.

06

Safeguards conclusions

Annuel

The IAEA publishes its annual safeguards conclusions confirming that Niger's materials have not been diverted for non-peaceful purposes.

Regulatory obligations

Obligations of nuclear material holders

Any operator holding nuclear materials in Niger is subject to the following obligations under ARSN regulations.

SSAC registration

Register with ARSN as a nuclear material holder. Provide information on facilities and materials.

Accounting system

Keep an accurate record of all nuclear materials held: quantity, chemical form, isotopic composition, location.

Regular declarations

Transmit inventory reports and inventory change reports to ARSN within regulatory deadlines.

Access for inspection

Facilitate access for ARSN and IAEA inspectors to facilities for verification of materials and documents.

Immediate notification

Immediately notify ARSN of any loss, theft, unexplained disappearance or discrepancy in the nuclear material inventory.

Record keeping

Keep all documents and records relating to nuclear materials for at least 5 years after their transmission to ARSN.

Enhanced commitment

Additional Protocol

The Additional Protocol (INFCIRC/540) expands IAEA access rights beyond declared nuclear materials alone. It allows the IAEA to verify the absence of any undeclared nuclear activity on Nigerien territory.

Expanded declarations: facilities, R&D activities, exports/imports
Complementary access: undeclared sites, at short notice
Satellite surveillance and open-source information analysis
Strengthened conclusion: no undeclared material in Niger

Declaration forms

Download the PIL, ICR and MBR forms for your SSAC declaration obligations.

Download

SSAC Guide

ARSN practical guide on nuclear material accounting and control obligations.

Consult

Textes légaux

INFCIRC/588, Additional Protocol and national safeguards implementing texts.

View texts

Contact Safeguards

Safeguards and SSAC Directorate — for any question about your declaration obligations.

Contacter