Kazakhstan reports new record in uranium production

Diagram: by www.oilprice.comAt year-end 2012 Kazakhstan remained the world’s leading uranium producer with approximately 37% of the world’s total uranium production volume, reads the state nuclear company Kazatomprom press release.

Taking into account the shares in its subsidiary and affiliated enterprises, Kazatomprom produced 11.9 thous. tU in 2012, or more than 20% of the world’s production. Export volume under the contracts of Kazatomprom made up 9.26 thous. tons of uraniumas concentrate.

The tantalum production made up 213 tons, niobium and beryllium productions equaled 43 and 2526 tons, respectively.

Kazakhstan sells most of its uranium to Asian countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, and India. Its uranium industry has attracted Western investors in recent years.

In December 2012, Kazatomprom became the winner of the special government award and was recognized as the Leader of Innovations according to the results of year 2012.

Kazatomprom announced at the forum in Aktau about establishment of chemical cluster on the basis of its subsidiary company MAEK-Kazatomprom LLP. In 2013 the company intends to start the construction of the pilot plant for production of sea brine for chemical reagents that are vital elements for increasing uranium production.

Also President Nursultan Nazarbaev on January 23 gave the government one month to submit proposals for construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.

By Zeena Urynbassarova