ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 2. The IAEA mission "Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) mission" began in Kazakhstan to evaluate the results of studies conducted on the selection of a nuclear power plant (NPP) site as part of a plan for cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the IAEA in the field of nuclear energy development, Trend reports.
The mission will operate from October 2 through October 6, 2023.
As part of the mission, IAEA experts will review documentation on the selection of a nuclear power plant site with a visit to a potential area (Ulken village, Almaty region).
Representatives of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Kazatomprom, and others were invited to participate in the mission.
As a result of the mission, IAEA experts will present a final report with proposals and recommendations for further determination of the optimal site for the nuclear power plant.
As previously stated by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan will submit to a referendum the issue of building a nuclear power plant in the country. He noted that the development of nuclear power is a particularly important economic and political issue.
Kazakhstan ranks second in the world in terms of proven reserves of natural uranium. About 14 percent of all proven world reserves are concentrated in the depths of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The country's total proven reserves are estimated at more than 700,000 tons of uranium.
In 2009, Kazakhstan came out on top in terms of uranium mining in the world and continues to maintain its leading position in the world market. Kazakhstan produces about 40 percent of the world's uranium production. In 2021, the volume of uranium production amounted to 21,800 tons, according to the results of 2022—21,300 tons.