Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 6
By Huseyn Valiyev – Trend:
Azerbaijan has wrapped up searching for natural reserves of nuclear materials, a source close to the matter told Trend.
The search was conducted in the Shamakhi District and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The results of the past year’s expeditions were quite encouraging, and in this regard, the search continued in 2017.
“The search for uranium reserves was carried out simultaneously with the study of radionuclide composition of the soil. The discovered uranium reserves were insufficient to expand production, as it is unprofitable. In the days of the former USSR, the availability of uranium reserves in Azerbaijan was never specified when preparing maps of the country. Azerbaijan has no nuclear raw materials,” the source said.
However, Azerbaijan’s National Nuclear Research Center has earlier said that future plans include the construction of a research reactor, and in this connection, preparations are ongoing and the necessary documents are being developed and adopted.
Currently, the Research Center aims at increasing personnel potential. The field of nuclear technology is rather specific, and all the activity in this area is carried out directly with the participation of the International Atomic Energy Agency, as there are certain regulations, standards and requirements.