October 1, 2009             
  

The National Atomic Company Kazatomprom initiated and held a meeting in Almaty to consider issues of sulfuric acid production, storage, transportation and application at its uranium mining facilities.  

The main objective of this meeting was to discuss problems of sulfuric acid supplies to uranium mining sites and ensuring sustainable supply chain from producers to end customers.

At the meeting chaired by Mr. Vladimir Shkolnik, President of NAC Kazatomprom, presentations were made by heads of NAC Kazatomprom’s units and executives of the companies dealing with sulfuric acid production (KazZinc LLP and Kazakhmys Corporation LLP). Representatives from transport and shipping companies were also among participants of this event.  

As envisaged by NAC Kazatomprom’s Program, an expected increase in uranium production to 15,000 tons by 2010 would result in rising consumption of sulfuric acid, which is used as core consumable in in-situ leaching uranium mining.  In 2010, sulfuric acid consumption by NAC Kazatomprom’s uranium mines would be fourfold, compared to that in 2006.

At present, sulfuric acid in Kazakhstan is produced just by the two companies, namely, KazakhMys and KazZinc. While maintaining strategic partnership with these producers, NAC Kazatomprom seeks to cover growing requirements by constructing its own plant with the capacity of 500,000 tons per year in Zhanakorgan region, Kyzylorda oblast. Laying a capsule in basement of the new sulfuric plant took place on August 31, 2009.  

In addition, NAC Kazatomprom targets to launch sulfuric acid production in Stepnogorsk town. Construction of two additional analogous plants is being considered by uranium JVs Inkai and Katco.

Following up the meeting, the participants made a decision to set up a Coordinating Council to regulate the issues of sulfuric acid production and supplies. Moreover, the Council will work on financing required for construction and expansion of logistic structures by the Trade & Transport Company LLP (motor ways, storage facilities and transportation terminal units) and study a possibility of reducing railway tariffs for sulfuric acid shipments.

The Coordinating Council will include members from The Mining Company LLP, KazZinc JSC, Kazakhmys Corporation LLP and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy JSC.

Kazatomprom is the national operator of the Republic of Kazakhstan for export of uranium and its compounds, rare metals, nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants, special purpose equipment, technologies and double-use materials. The main activities of the company are: geological exploration, uranium production, manufacture of nuclear fuel cycle products, reactor construction, nuclear power plants, production of construction materials, the electric energy sector, scientific support of production and social welfare and training of personnel. Today Kazatomprom has more than 25,000 employees and is amongst the leading uranium production companies in the world.

 

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