The International Symposium on Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle (URAM-2023) took place at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, from the 8th to the 12th of May 2023 under the theme “Innovation for Sustaining Future Resources and Production”.

After serving on the Scientific Organizing Committee for this event during the last year, the Director of the Namibian Uranium Institute, Dr. Gabi Schneider attended the actual conference on invitation by the IAEA.

During the opening session, she gave a presentation entitled “Overview of Uranium Activities in Namibia and the African Region”. She further participated in a panel discussion focused on the requirements for innovation and social acceptance strategies to ensure a sustainable supply of nuclear fuel for both the existing and future fleet of nuclear power reactors. Each panelist gave a presentation to set the scene, and Dr. Schneider’s presentation dealt with “Dealing with Concerns of Local and National Stakeholders – The Case of the Namibian Uranium Association and Institute.”

Dr. Schneider also participated in a panel organised by Women in Nuclear (WiN), where she presented on “Woman in Uranium Exploration and Mining: Past, Current and Future Perspectives”, and chaired two scientific sessions.

The conference brought together scientists, managers, exploration and mining geologists, mineral economists, engineers, operators, regulators, nuclear fuel cycle and environmental specialists and young professionals, who exchanged information and discussed updated research and current issues related to uranium geology and deposits, exploration, mining and processing, production economics and environmental and legal issues.