Kazakhstan and Japan to strenghthen uranium cooperation

Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan in production and processing of uranium is set to strengthen, Bnews.kz quoted Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan, Akylbek Kamaldinov, as saying. According to him, Japanese companies “are interested in importing nuclear fuel of deeper conversion”. Notably, Toshiba is interested in introducing new technology to process uranium. “Japan’s PM announced that the complications related to Fukushima will be overcome. The nation will keep on developing its nuclear power industry. Following forthcoming stress-tests, some reactors will be re-launched”, Kamaldinov said. In 2009 uranium production output in Kazakhstan grew from 8521 in 2008 to 14 020, enabling Kazakhstan to become the global leader in terms of production. Estimated uranium production output in 2011 stands at 19 800 tons. For the first 8 months Kazakhstan produced a total of 12 284 tons of uranium, Profinance.kz quoted the Press Service of KazAtomProm National Nuclear Company September 28. 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.