03 May 2012 | 12:15

KazAtomProm hoping to export nuclear fuel components to Japan in 2013

RIA Novosti©

KazAtomProm National Nuclear Company plans to start exports of nuclear fuel components to Japan in 2013, Newskaz.ru reports, citing Sergei Yashin, Vice Head of the Company, as saying May 3. “Yesterday Kazakhstan and Japan signed certain agreements on uranium projects that cover not only extraction, but also manufacturing of high-tech fuel pellets at Kazakhstan-based facilities”, Mr. Yashin said. “Regardless of what happened at Fukushima (…) we keep working on developing the nuclear power industry. (…) The products have yet to be certified, but early next year we hope to supply nuclear fuel components [to Japan]”, he said. KazAtomProm is Kazakhstan's major exporter of uranium and its compounds, rare metals, nuclear fuel for nuclear power stations, special equipment, technologies and dual-usage materials. In January – March 2012 the Company produced a total of 2 600 tons of uranium, 4% up against the Q1 2011. The overall uranium production in Kazakhstan for the period under review made up 4 666 tons, almost 5% up against the Q1 2011. The Company’s consolidated revenues for the period totaled $346.9 million. Ulba Metallurgical Works (part of KazAtomProm) increased its beryllium production output by 32% against the Q1 2011 and its tantalum production output by 84%. According to Vladimir Shkolnik, in 2011 the Company produced a total of 19 450 tons of uranium, 9% up against 2010. Plans are there to increase the figure to 25 000 tons a year by 2015. In 2009 the uranium production output grew from 8521 in 2008 to 14 020, enabling Kazakhstan to become the global leader in terms of production.

KazAtomProm National Nuclear Company plans to start exports of nuclear fuel components to Japan in 2013, Newskaz.ru reports, citing Sergei Yashin, Vice Head of the Company, as saying May 3. “Yesterday Kazakhstan and Japan signed certain agreements on uranium projects that cover not only extraction, but also manufacturing of high-tech fuel pellets at Kazakhstan-based facilities”, Mr. Yashin said. “Regardless of what happened at Fukushima (…) we keep working on developing the nuclear power industry. (…) The products have yet to be certified, but early next year we hope to supply nuclear fuel components [to Japan]”, he said. KazAtomProm is Kazakhstan's major exporter of uranium and its compounds, rare metals, nuclear fuel for nuclear power stations, special equipment, technologies and dual-usage materials. In January – March 2012 the Company produced a total of 2 600 tons of uranium, 4% up against the Q1 2011. The overall uranium production in Kazakhstan for the period under review made up 4 666 tons, almost 5% up against the Q1 2011. The Company’s consolidated revenues for the period totaled $346.9 million. Ulba Metallurgical Works (part of KazAtomProm) increased its beryllium production output by 32% against the Q1 2011 and its tantalum production output by 84%. According to Vladimir Shkolnik, in 2011 the Company produced a total of 19 450 tons of uranium, 9% up against 2010. Plans are there to increase the figure to 25 000 tons a year by 2015. In 2009 the uranium production output grew from 8521 in 2008 to 14 020, enabling Kazakhstan to become the global leader in terms of production.