The fear of use for the manufacture of nuclear weapons is at the heart of all concerns
Given the current geopolitical context, any unusual event that could involve nuclear weapons is cause for concern. This is particularly the case with the case of the disappearance of 2.5 tons of uranium in Libya.
The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sounded the alarm over the disappearance of 2.5 tons of natural uranium from a site in Libya that is not under the control of the local government. The uranium ore concentrates dating from the Gaddafi era were contained in 10 drums which have not been officially declared to the international regulatory agency. The IAEA did not really expand on explanations of what this disappearance of a significant quantity of uranium implied.
The agency, however, was keen to warn that the missing uranium stockpile posed a radiological risk and security concerns. The IAEA also announced that an investigation was underway to find out more about the circumstances of the disappearance of these 2.5 tons of uranium. Note that since the announcement of the disappearance, the forces allied to a warlord who is currently fighting the government claim to have recovered the uranium, although this remains unconfirmed. Investigations will also be carried out on this side.
To understand the fuss surrounding this affair, it is useful to remember that uranium can be used in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. It should be noted, however, that natural uranium is not immediately usable for this purpose.