US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA11182

UNCLAS BOGOTA 011182 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, ENRG, CO 
SUBJECT:  Colombia's efforts towards enhancing security of 
radioactive materials 
 
Summary: Officials from the National Nuclear Security 
Administration's (NNSA) Office of Defense Nuclear 
Nonproliferation visited Colombia to evaluate its 
radioactive security program.  NNSA was pleased with the 
security upgrades made at the Ingeominas repository and 
formulated a construction plan to make the facility a 
centralized repository for all disused and orphaned 
radioactive waste in Colombia.  Although NNSA applauded the 
GOC's progress, it noted locations where radioactive 
materials needed to be better secured.  End Summary. 
 
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Ingeominas Storage Facility Security Upgrade 
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1.  The NNSA and the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) 
previously agreed to allocate USD 36,000 towards enhancing 
the radioactive material repository at the Colombian 
Institute of Geology and Mining (Ingeominas).  The goal of 
the partnership is to improve Colombia's radioactive 
material security by providing enhanced protection of 
Ingeominas's facilities.  In the first phase of the project, 
the NNSA awarded USD 18,000 to Ingeominas for the purchase 
of cameras and lights to improve surveillance and improved 
locks to better secure the radioactive material.  The NNSA 
will award the remaining USD 18,000 under phase two of the 
project when the MME provides a final report detailing 
Ingeominas's security upgrades. 
 
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Plan to Increase Ingeominas's Storage Capacity 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
2.  Officials from the NNSA discussed with the GOC their 
plan to fund a project to enhance Ingeominas's radioactive 
storage capacity.  The repository will be upgraded with 
additional space and enhanced security features, allowing 
Ingeominas to become the central repository facility for all 
disused and orphaned radioactive waste in Colombia.  The 
total cost of the project will range from USD 250,000 to USD 
600,000 and will be funded by the NNSA in installments. 
Construction materials will be paid for in advance, while 
labor costs will be paid at the completion of each phase. 
NNSA officials estimate that actual construction could begin 
as early as April 1, 2006.  The NNSA has previously funded 
five or six similar projects worldwide. 
 
3.  NNSA officials stressed to the MME that construction on 
the Ingeominas site should begin as soon as possible.  The 
NNSA expects a reduction in its 2006 fiscal budget and will 
most likely continue funding those projects whose leadership 
has proven to be responsive and proactive. 
 
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Insecure Radioactive Material 
----------------------------- 
 
4.  The NNSA identified five sites in Colombia containing 
disused, orphaned, or abandoned radioactive material that is 
improperly secured.  Liability concerns will preclude the 
NNSA from providing resources for the physical 
transportation of the radioactive material.  However, it 
offered to fund the bulk of the transfer costs, including 
packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading.  Although the 
MME stated there is currently no room to store the material 
at Ingeomina's facilities, as presently configured, the NNSA 
stressed the importance of securing this potentially 
dangerous material.  The MME assured the NNSA it would look 
into how best to secure the material. 
 
DRUCKER