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Use of nuclear techniques in Morocco

In Morocco, the nuclear techniques are used mainly in the following sectors:

• Health, through diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy;
• Industry, through the gamma radiography, gauges and tracers,
• Education and research in science and nuclear techniques,
• Agriculture, particularly through the irradiator of the National Institute of Agronomic Research in Tangier (INRA) and the use of SIT by ONSSA;
• Water through research programs and studies on water resources;
• Energy, a sector for which the national strategy pays particular attention to renewable energies, energy efficiency and the exploration of all sources, particularly long-term Nuclear Power Program (NPP). The development of NPP requires, among others, the nuclear technology watch, the development of national nuclear capabilities necessary as well as the conduct of research work on materials used in solar energy.

Morocco's first nuclear installation was established around the nuclear research reactor Triga Mark II and associated laboratories, carried out by the National Centre for Energy, Science and Nuclear Techniques (CNESTEN) based at the Center for Nuclear Studies (CEN) at the Maâmora site. The CEN authorization process was conducted by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Environment (MEME) as nuclear safety authority from 1994 to 25 October 2016.

The safety and security of radioactive materials including nuclear materials, has become a major concern in all countries. The international references invite all countries to take in accordance with their legal and regulatory framework, appropriate measures to ensure an effective independence between the regulator and control functions and the use and promotion functions.

Thus, in Morocco the upgrade of legislative framework was made by the enactment of the Law number 142.12 on nuclear and radiation security and safety and the creation of the Moroccan Agency for nuclear and radiation safety and security (AMSSNuR) and the law number 12.02  on nuclear liability in case of nuclear damage. The MEME accompanied the effective creation of AMSSNuR.