[en] The article looks at the problems experienced in Australia with respect to the mining of uranium deposits and the aboriginals' demands. The effects of delay in mining on the market scene are discussed

[en] This program is aimed at developing the technology required for carrying out the mirror reactor program. Much of this work applies to the national program and fusion in general; it covers the following areas: Superconducting magnet development; Neutral-beam program (including beam direct conversion and vacuum technology); Direct conversion: In addition to our study of the direct conversion associated with neutral beams, we have a continuing program to develop efficient direct recovery systems, which are required for reducing power losses from future mirror reactors. Materials program: We have a unique source of 14-MeV neutrons at the Rotating Target Neutron Source (RTNS-I), and LLL facility that is used to investigate the effects of fusion neutrons on materials of interest to reactor designers. Several key problems on tritium control and handling that must be solved for any large D-T fusion device are being investigated in the LLL tritium laboratory; emphasis is on cleanup of low tritium concentrations in reactor containment buildings and on the containment of tritium by using various low-permeability barriers and coatings to be applied to metal walls. The effects of neutrons on the properties of superconducting materials are being investigated using a unique apparatus in which superconducting properties are measured while the specimen is continuously maintained at liquid-helium temperature. Reactor design studies: Design studies of mirror reactors form a basis for evaluating mirror concepts and for guiding our long-range program. Present emphasis is on delineating features of reactors based on the tandem mirror reactor (TMR) concept, on a fission/fusion hybrid reactor based on the TMR, and on an engineering evaluation of a small reactor system based on field reversal. A special class of reactors that are small and candidates for construction in the next decade is being investigated in a program sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute

[en] Target interaction and implosion physics research has continued on the Hydra and Proto I accelerators. Diagnostic development of optical X-ray, XUV, and neutron detection methods was also carried out as part of the target interaction program

[en] The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is amending its regulations to require that licensees authorized to operate a nuclear reactor (other than certain research and test reactors), and those authorized to possess strategic quantities of plutonium, uranium-233, or uranium-235 develop and implement acceptable plans for responding to threats, thefts, and industrial sabotage of licensed nuclear materials and facilities. The plans will provide a structured, orderly, and timely response to safeguards contingencies and will be an important segment of NRC's contingency planning programs. Licensee safeguards contingency plans will result in organizing licensee's safeguards resources in such a way that, in the unlikely event of a safeguards contingency, the responding participants will be identified, their several responsibilities specified, and their responses coordinated

[en] This program is concerned with the development of biochemical engineering technology whereby individual process steps, at least one of which utilizes a biological entity, can be integrated to result in a highly useful overall process. Areas of concern to DOE that will benefit directly from this technology include energy production and conservation, resource recovery, and pollution abatement. Investigations specific to problems in nuclear waste management include the removal of radionuclides and chemical contaminants from aqueous process and effluent streams. Bioengineering research activities were focused on three areas during this reporting period: enzyme catalysis; treatment of aqueous effluents from coal conversion processes; and bioreactor scale-up and process modeling studies

[en] This document includes approximately 200 abstracts of papers presented at the conference. An author index is included

[en] A description of Australia's uranium resources, a brief history of exploration and the location of all the significant deposits are given

[en] According to the Inst. fuer Unfallforschung/TUeV Rheinland, Koeln, the interpretation of empirical data gained from the operation of nuclear power plants at home and abroad during the period 1967-1975 has shown that about 38% of all reactor accidents were caused by human failures. These occured either during the design and construction, the commissioning, the reconditioning or the operation of the plants. This very fact stresses human responsibility for the safety of nuclear power plants, in spite of those plants being automated to a high degree and devices. (orig.)

No abstract available

[en] Uranium exploration efforts in Canada are described. (E.C.B.)