Kazakhstan, Astana, Jan. 4 / Trend D. Mukhtarov /
Villages located near the mining companies of NAC Kazatomprom JSC were caught in the midst of the hurricane which hit the southern regions of Kazakhstan on January 12, 2013,, the company's press service said.
The worst disaster occurred in the district of Sozak in the region of South Kazakhstan. As a result, several villages were damaged including Kyzemshek and Taukent, where the largest uranium mining company NAC Kazatomprom JSC is located.
Wind gusting from 45 to 53 mph according to various estimates, brought down 56 poles carrying a VL-110 overhead power line, owned by NAC Kazatomprom JSC. As a consequence the villages of Kyzemshek, Taukent and uranium mining company Taukent Mining and Chemical Enterprise (TGHP, including in a mining company), Katko joint company with the French AREVA company, Ortalyk mining company and Kazakh-Japanese APPAK venture were put out of action.
Due to the weather and power line break uranium production was temporarily stopped in the Sozak region.
Energy supplies to the village and Kazatomprom enterprises are currently being provided by power lines from the Ontustik Zharyk Transit energy company. Restoration of the LEP-110 will take about six weeks.
Moreover, the hurricane destroyed the parking lot at the Trade and Transport Company (TTC - part of the mining company) with buses to transport employees from villages to the mines.
Taukent village was the most affected by the disaster. The water inlet stopped operating due to a power outage on January 12. Infrastructure and education facilities, a boiler room and the only medical unit in the village were severely damaged. Roof sheathing was torn off the buildings and windows broken. NAC Kazatomprom JSC undertook all obligations to restore these facilities.
Thanks to efforts of Kazakhstan's nuclear holding companies, heating was restored to the affected villages within a day after the disaster. The day after the incident, on January 13, the communication network was restored in Taukent.
TGHP, Katko, Stepnoye and Karatau enterprises promptly provided mobile diesel power plants and other equipment to sustain the village. Together with village residents, Kazatomprom employees helped clear up assorted debris along the town's streets.
The NAC Kazatomprom JSC management took the decision to restore the homes of employees affected by the hurricane at the company's. At present, recovery work continues with the support of Kazatomprom companies.The damage to the companies of NAC Kazatomprom JSC has been calculated.
NAC Kazatomprom JSC is Kazakhstan's national operator for the export of uranium and its compounds, rare metals, nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants, special equipment, technologies and dual-use materials.
Its principal activities are geological exploration, uranium production, the initiation and sustainment of the nuclear fuel cycle, production of construction materials, energy, science, social welfare and training.
Kazatomprom is an active participant in the development of renewable energy in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The company is amongst the top uranium mining companies. As of today, over 24.000 people work there.