ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 2. Kazatomprom JSC (Kazakhstan's national nuclear company) and Framatome (French company engaged in the development and production of equipment for nuclear power plants) have signed an agreement on the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of the nuclear fuel cycle, Trend reports.
The agreement was signed by the Chairman of the Board of Kazatomprom Meirzhan Yusupov and the Vice President for Sales and Marketing of Framatome Vincent Mercier.
The agreement provides for the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between the companies to implement joint promising projects in the field of the nuclear fuel cycle, as well as the education and training of specialists.
"Framatome is one of the strategically important partners for Kazatomprom in the development of nuclear fuel cycle projects. I am confident that joint cooperation will allow us to open up new prospects for the development of bilateral relations between our countries in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy," Meirzhan Yusupov said.
In turn, Vincent Mercier noted that Framatome is pleased to sign an agreement with Kazatomprom, largest uranium producer globally.
The parties already have experience of many years of strategic partnership and interaction within the framework of the first plant for the production of fuel assemblies on the territory of Kazakhstan.
On September 29, 2023, Kazakhstan's Kazatomprom presented its strategy for uranium production for 2025. The Board of Directors of Kazatomprom approved the company’s strategy to increase uranium production volumes in 2025 to 100 percent of the level planned under subsoil use contracts.
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 took first place in uranium production in the world and continues to maintain a 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.