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.

Caroline Peachey (CP): What are the main regulations surrounding the transport of uranium ore concentrate?

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.

CP: Why does transport of UOC require a specialised approach compared to many other commodities? 

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:

Radiological risk: UOC is radioactive, though at relatively low levels, which necessitates radiation monitoring during packaging and before transport.

Chemical hazard: UOC is a heavy metal, non-flammable, insoluble in water and non-reactive in water. As a dry powder, handling requires dust control, sealed containers and personal protective equipment.

Regulatory complexity: Transport of uranium ore concentrate is governed by international nuclear transport regulations (see above). It may require special documentation, licensing and compliance audits. Carriers must also be trained and certified for Class 7 (radioactive) materials.

Security concerns: UOC is part of the nuclear fuel cycle and thus subject to non-proliferation controls. This means that transport routes and storage should be secure. This process often involves tracking systems and government oversight.

Public perception and liability: Nuclear materials carry a high public sensitivity. Thus, any incident, even minor, can lead to media scrutiny, reputational damage and legal consequences. Companies must manage risk communication and community engagement.

Environmental protection: Emergency response plans must be in place to contain and remediate any incidents that occur during transport of uranium concentrates.

CP: You recently published version 4 of the WNTI standard on packaging and transport of UOC. What does this standard cover and who is its target audience?

WNTI: The WNTI Standard – Packaging and Transport of Uranium Concentrates (Version 4), published in March 2025, is a comprehensive guide developed by WNTI to promote safe, secure and efficient transport of natural uranium ore concentrates.

Version 4 reflects updated industry practices and regulatory expectations. It includes: packaging requirements on the use of Type IP-1 as well as guidelines for drum integrity, sealing and stacking. It also covers best practices for arranging drums inside ISO containers and the use of restraint systems to prevent movement during transit.

Other sections offer guidance on contamination control, including procedures for checking and cleaning containers before and after use as well as methods to confirm containers are free of radioactive contamination before release.

The standard provides guidance for road, rail, and sea transport, with an emphasis on intermodal compatibility and regulatory compliance. It also covers security and emergency preparedness, with recommendations for route planning, tracking, and incident response in alignment with IAEA and UN transport regulations.

It also details requirements for transport documentation, labelling, and personnel training.

The standard is intended for a wide range of stakeholders involved in the nuclear fuel supply chain, including uranium producers and converters, transport and logistics companies, packaging manufacturers, regulatory authorities, nuclear utilities and emergency response planners.

It serves as both a technical reference and a training resource, helping all parties involved in UOC transport to operate at a consistent and high standard.

CP: What are the main updates since the last version?

WNTI: Version 4 of the standard introduces several important updates and refinements compared to Version 3, reflecting evolving industry practices, regulatory expectations and operational experience.

Key updates include:

Expanded guidance on ISO shipping containers such as more detailed specifications for container inspection, maintenance and free release procedures. There is also now the inclusion of pre-use and pre-shipment inspection checklists to confirm container integrity.

Enhanced radiological monitoring protocols, namely clearer procedures for monitoring contamination on packaging and containers, as well as an emphasis on record-keeping.

Updated packaging and drum specifications, including refined guidance on IP-1 drum standards, with examples and illustrations as well as recommendations for drum stacking, sealing and labelling to improve safety and efficiency.

Improved container loading practices with guidance on best practices for drum restraint systems inside ISO containers to prevent movement during transit, plus visual examples of container packing lists and multimodal dangerous goods forms.

Clarified documentation requirements through more comprehensive guidance on shipping documentation, markings, labels, and notifications with templates and examples included.

These changes aim to: standardise practices across the global uranium ore concentrate transport community; improve safety and regulatory compliance; reduce contamination risks and improve container turnaround times and support training and onboarding of new personnel with clearer, more visual guidance.

CP: What practical steps should mining companies take to ensure their uranium packaging and transport protocols align with international expectations?

WNTI: To ensure their uranium packaging and transport protocols align with international expectations, mining companies should implement a structured and proactive approach.

Here are the practical steps they should take include: adopting international standards and best practice; using approved packaging; standardising container loading; monitoring and controlling contamination; strengthening security and emergency preparedness; maintaining accurate documentation; providing regular training and engaging with regulators and stakeholders.

CP: How does the WNTI collaborate with stakeholders to develop and update its transport standards?

WNTI: The WNTI collaborates closely with a wide range of stakeholders including mining companies, logistics providers, regulators and packaging manufacturers to develop and update its transport standards. In fact, a number of our members are from mining companies. This collaboration ensures that the standards are practical, globally relevant, and aligned with evolving regulatory and operational needs.

WNTI operates specialised working groups, such as the Uranium Concentrate Working Group (UCWG), which includes representatives from uranium miners, producers and converters; transport and logistics companies; packaging experts; and regulatory and safety authorities.

These groups meet regularly to share operational experiences, identify challenges and propose improvements to transport practices.

CP: What other support does the WNTI offer for mining companies, particularly juniors or those entering the uranium market for the first time?

WNTI: We offer a range of practical support tailored to help junior mining companies and new entrants in the uranium sector navigate the complex landscape of nuclear material transport. WNTI supports these companies in several ways.

Through working groups like the UCWG, WNTI connects juniors with experienced uranium producers, logistics providers, regulators and packaging experts. This fosters knowledge sharing and mentorship opportunities.

WNTI also helps members understand and comply with IAEA transport regulations, UN dangerous goods codes and national licensing requirements, which is crucial for juniors unfamiliar with nuclear regulatory frameworks.

Finally, WNTI provides standardised forms, inspection checklists and container loading guides. These tools help juniors implement best practices without needing to develop them from scratch.

About the interviewees

Marc-Andre Charette, director, transportation, security and regulatory relations at Cameco Corporation, is chair of WNTI’s Uranium Concentrate Working Group.

Steven Hansen, chief compliance officer at TAM International was involved in developing version 4 of the standard.