KEY REPORTS SUBMITTED TO US NRC BOARDCompletes Significant...

KEY REPORTS SUBMITTED TO US NRC BOARD

Completes Significant Milestone Towards
Obtaining Commercial Enrichment Plant License
1 March, 2012
Silex Systems Limited (Silex) (ASX: SLX) today announced that the US Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued the final Safety Evaluation Report (SER)
and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a commercial SILEX Laser Uranium
Enrichment Plant proposed by General Electric-Hitachi Global Laser Enrichment LLC
(GLE) in Wilmington, North Carolina.
According to the NRC’s news release dated 29 February, 2012, these reports include
the NRC Staff’s conclusion that GLE’s descriptions, specifications and analyses
provide an adequate basis for safety and safeguards of facility operations and that
operation of the facility would not pose an undue risk to worker and public health, and
safety. The NRC news release No. 12-019 and the SER and EIS full reports can be
found on the NRC’s website at nrc.gov.
“This is a significant milestone towards obtaining an operating license for the
commercial enrichment facility – the first time a license application has been
considered for a third-generation laser enrichment technology,” Dr Michael
Goldsworthy, Silex CEO said today.
“Silex congratulates the GLE Licensing and Regulatory Affairs team on this major
achievement. It bears testament to the rigorous efforts and contribution the team
delivered in supporting the NRC licensing process”, Dr Goldsworthy added.
The licensing process from this point involves a mandatory public hearing by the
NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) to be held in the Wilmington
community during 9 – 11 July, 2012. We have been informed that this hearing will be
uncontested, that is, involving only NRC Staff and GLE (no contrarian parties
registered for the hearing). Following this, the ASLB will finalise its recommendations
and submission to the NRC. As per previous disclosures, the NRC is due to make its
decision regarding GLE’s commercial facility application by 31 August 2012.
Further information on the Company’s activities can be found on the Silex website:
www.silex.com.au or by contacting the persons listed below.
Contacts: Michael Goldsworthy or Julie Ducie on + 61 2 9532 1331
Media: David Akers (FTI Consulting) on +61 412 944 577