Kazakhstan plans stepped-up uranium exploration to build strategic reserveKazakhstan plans to step up uranium exploration and introduce new extraction methods to build a strategic reserve, according to a nuclear industry development strategy published Friday.“To ensure long-term domestic uranium demand and strengthen export positions, the strategy outlines priority actions: exploration on at least two new promising sites annually to identify unexplored uranium-bearing areas with high geological potential, and further geological work on known deposits to refine reserves, extraction methods and readiness for commissioning,” the strategy, approved by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, states.The strategy also envisions "forming and approving conceptual approaches to creating a strategic uranium reserve to supply future nuclear power plants."It includes ensuring a stable supply of sulfuric acid to uranium mining enterprises. Sulfuric acid is a key reagent for in-situ leach mining, the primary extraction method used in Kazakhstan.Officials also plan to study new alternative methods for uranium mining and processing, as well as prospects for entering foreign nuclear industry markets.The document also aims to ensure future uranium processing facilities, conversion, enrichment and fabrication, are supplied by domestic mining companies regardless of ownership stakes in joint ventures.Kazakhstan operates 14 uranium mining enterprises across the Kyzylorda, Turkistan, North Kazakhstan and Akmola regions. Twelve of those are joint ventures between state-owned Kazatomprom and partners from China, Russia, France, Canada and Japan.The country holds the world’s second-largest confirmed uranium reserves, with about 1 million tonnes as of early 2025, representing roughly 14% of global resources, the strategy said. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX