Fears over Saudi nuclear ambitions after uranium found at Neom site
Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman, has said before that his kingdom would build its own nuclear weapons programme if it felt its key regional rival Iran was doing the same – and he may now have the opportunity to do so.
Chinese officials working with their Saudi counterparts have reportedly discovered significant uranium deposits in the north-west region of the country – in the area on which Neom is set to be built.
The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been working with Chinese officials to help Saudi Arabia develop nuclear energy – despite IAEA inspectors being barred from working in the country.
Saudi Arabia has said little about the discovery of the uranium in Neom. However, it is known to be working towards building nuclear reactors, and has said that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful – despite MBS’s sabre-rattling over Iran’s alleged nuclear programme.
Chinese officials are said to have discovered the uranium deposits, according to Bloomberg, which also reported that the locations of potential uranium deposits were revealed to Saudi vice minister for mining affairs, Khalid Saleh Al-Mudaifer, last year. The information comes from the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has said that Saudi Arabia is a signatory to an older version of the IAEA agreement, which does not require inspections over how nuclear power is used, and whether it is for entirely peaceful use. “I’m approaching them, telling them that in 2020 this is no longer adequate,” Grossi is reported as saying by Bloomberg. “We have to be up to a minimum standard.”
Inspections would also be required were Saudi Arabia to use US nuclear technology, according to a ruling from US president Donald Trump.
One overlooked aspect of this development, in terms of Neom, is its potential impact on the environment. Neom is billed as potentially being one of the most environmentally-friendly places on earth, yet mining uranium can cause health issues, producing radioactive dust, radon gas, water-borne toxins, and higher levels of background radiation.
Saudi Arabia is already hesitant to reveal its inner workings, and what it reveals to the international community is often not the whole story – especially in areas such as human rights and warfare.
As a key ally to the western word, Saudi Arabia is unlikely to receive any of the criticism countries like Iran have experienced for their nuclear plans from countries like the US.
Could Neom, which is promoted as a “green” paradise, actually be where the source of an environmentally damaging – and potentially internationally dangerous – nuclear adventure?
Read more: Did Israeli and Saudi leaders secretly meet in Neom?
