Pelindaba

Coordinates: 25°48′2″S 27°56′2″E / 25.80056°S 27.93389°E / -25.80056; 27.93389

Pelindaba is South Africa's main Nuclear Research Centre, run by The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation and was the location where South Africa's atomic bombs of the 1970s were developed, constructed and subsequently stored. It is situated near the Hartbeespoort Dam, approximately 33 km (22 miles) west of Pretoria, on the farm that once belonged to Gustav Preller.

History

The research reactor SAFARI-1 has operated since 1965, with an output of up to 20 MW. A 4 MV Van de Graaff particle accelerator operates for various purposes in nuclear sciences.

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) was established as a public company by the Republic of South Africa in 1999.

Accidents

1996 accident

An accident at the Pelindaba research facility exposed workers to radiation. Harold Daniels and several others died from radiation burns and cancers related to the exposure.

Leak in 2009

On the 16th of March, 2009, a leak of radioactive gases from Pelindaba was reported by NECSA. Abnormal levels of gamma radiation associated with xenon and krypton gases were detected, causing an emergency to be declared. Members of staff were evacuated.