Kazakhstan, Astana, Dec. 1 / Trend K. Konyrova /
Several documents aimed at expanding cooperation between Kazatomprom and Japanese companies were signed in Almaty Nov. 30, the Kazakhstan national company said today.
Documents on nuclear fuel cooperation were signed with Kansai Electric Power Co., Nuclear Fuel Industries (NFI), and Sumitomo Corp. In total four agreements were signed, including a comprehensive agreement on the use of the Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP), in which Kazatomprom, UMP, Kansai Electric Power Co., NFI and Sumitomo Corp. participate. A basic agreement between UMP and NFI was signed to process uranium hexafluoride in UO2, as well as an agreement between UMP and NFI for NFI scrap processing in UO2, and a memorandum on cooperation for the reconversion of uranium hexafluoride via regenerated uranium.
The agreements envisage using the plant to produce UO2 powders as feedstock for fuel pellet production in the appropriate NFI capacities in Japan. The source material is uranium-bearing scrap and enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6), which will be supplied by the Japanese side.
UMP will be able to enter a new field of direction in the future, UF6 reconversion, obtained from regenerated uranium. The planned date for these projects' implementation is 2010-2012, depending on the date of signing the intergovernmental agreement between Kazakhstan and Japan on the peaceful use of atomic energy.
Kazatomprom is Kazakhstan's national operator exporting uranium and compounds, rare metals, nuclear fuel for atomic power stations, special equipment, technologies and dual use materials. The company's main activities are: exploration, mining of uranium, production of nuclear fuel cycle, reactor construction, nuclear power, metallurgy and production of construction materials, power engineering, science, social welfare and training. The company employs over 25,000 people. Kazatomprom is a leading international uranium-mining company.
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