Press Release re V International Research-to-Practice Conference

September 18, 2008, sees the opening of the V International Research-to-Practice Conference Topical Issues of the Uranium Industry hosted by the National Atomic Company Kazatomprom in partnership with the Institute of High Technologies LLP.

The V International Research-to-Practice Conference is seen as part of the so-called nuclear renaissance environment with  countries from all continents  demonstrating their widespread interest in the nuclear industry's progress. The problems of the imminent shortage in natural uranium, conversion and enrichment services, fuel assembly manufacturing and construction of reliable and safe nuclear power plants can not, of course, be solved by just one country and in order to prevent the global power deficit, all matters relating to the nuclear fuel cycle segments need to tackled in partnership and cooperation. The conference has become indispensable, as world nuclear power companies seek to integrate their research and development efforts, and Kazakhstan as a major uranium producer is more than aware of a responsibility to the world community. Over the next three days experts will discuss uranium industry innovations, strategy of the mineral resources base development, issues of generation, and implementation, of the programs for development of advanced uranium production and processing techniques and challenges within the nuclear fuel cycle. Conference participants will also review issues of environmental protection, safety of uranium production, qualified personnel training and other aspects related to successful operation of the nuclear fuel complex.

Among attendees at the conference, are over 280 executives from uranium industry enterprises together with scientists and experts from: Russia, Japan, France, the Czech Republic, Germany, Australia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tadzhikistan .  

The topics to be covered throughout the run of the conference are: Nuclear Fuel Cycle – Know-How and Challenges, Uranium Mining and Production Techniques, Rare Elements Production Techniques in the Nuclear Industry, Geology, Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety Issues, Nuclear Power and Nuclear Reactor Industry, Legal, Macroeconomic and Educational Aspects of the Nuclear Complex.

The wide range of questions under discussion and the high level of its participants will highlight the importance of the conference, making it a significant event in the nuclear power industry and emphasizing the important contribution by Kazakhstan, and other countries, to the global search of feasible solutions to the power challenges the world has to face in the coming decades.

The conference will conclude on September 20, 2008.

Note

KAZATOMPROM is the national operator of Kazakhstan for the export of uranium and its compounds, rare metals, nuclear fuel for NPPs, special-purpose equipment, technologies and dual-purpose materials. 100% of Kazatomprom’s shares belong to the Government represented by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan . Kazatomprom represents a holding managing core activities: geology exploration, production of uranium, nuclear fuel cycle products, construction of reactors, NPPs, non-ferrous metallurgy and construction materials, energy, scientific support of production, personnel training and social support. More than 25 000 people work for the Company with Kazatomprom, today, being among the world's leading uranium producers.

Institute of High Technologies (IHT) provides for the science-based support of Kazakhstan ’s uranium industry. The Institute is affiliated with Kazatomprom and tackles tasks of innovative development of Kazatomprom, elaborates production processes and new high value added products, supports Kazakhstan uranium facilities’ competitiveness in the world market. The Institute ensures the full-service operational cycle: from scientific ideas to the design and introduction in the entire processing flow – from extraction to the finished product.