The China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has completed the first critical experiment for Ghana’s uranium low-enrichment project in miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR), a significant landmark that has been hailed by international organizations.

The project, which focuses on the conversion of the reactor from highly enriched uranium to low enriched uranium fuel, allows important research to continue while enabling the removal and disposal of highly enriched uranium, eliminating the risk that this weapons-grade material could be stolen or used, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

In accordance with the “Five Proposals” raised by China President Xi Jinping and the Sino-US Joint Statement reached at the 4th Nuclear Security Summit in Washington in 2016, the project perfectly embodies the international cooperative spirit in nuclear non-proliferation and offers an example for the world in its future along that course, said the CNNC in an official announcement released on July 20.

The successful experiment has been hailed by foreign experts and government officials. Benjamin Nyarko, director general of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, expressed his deep gratitude for Chinese scientists, adding that their efforts should be valued. John Stevens, department manager of Argonne National Laboratory in the U.S., said Chinese research teams have played an important role in the project, while Chinese scientists’ professionalism and dedication are quite impressive, according to CNNC.

According to NNSA, Ghana’s Chinese-origin MNSR is the first reactor of this type to be converted outside of China, establishing this cooperative effort as a model for similar cooperation on future MNSR conversions.