2003 - 2006

Kazatomprom developed a strategic program for increasing uranium production in Kazakhstan.

In 2003, a U-shaped desorption-absorption line was implemented, for the first time, at the Akdala mine. The introduction of this technology allowed for: the extraction of products, from the unit of working volume of U-shaped columns, several times higher than that from the columns of conventional type; reduction of the residual content of uranium in regenerated resin; increased uranium content in merchant regenerate; reduction in the numbers of necessary equipment - instead of 8-10  regular columns, 1-2 U-shaped columns are used resulting in a substantial reduction in operating costs. A long-term contract for natural uranium supply was signed with China.

In 2003, the Company became the world’s second largest producer of beryllium products (controlling 29% of the total production) and the fourth largest in the tantalum industry.

In 2003, the Government of the Republic entrusted Kazatomprom with overcoming the crisis of the Mangistau atomic nuclear plant – the major multi-energy company, which is the only source of power supply to all energy consumers in the Mangistau Oblast. Kazatomprom breathed new life into the plant  The introduction of their anti-crisis program allowed the plant to have stable and full capacity operations.

In September 2004, in London, at the annual symposium of the World Nuclear Association, Kazatomprom announced a new wide-scale program - "15 thousand tons of uranium mined by 2010.”

In 2004, the pilot uranium mine production JV "KATKO" was commissioned in Southern Moinkum. The refinery under the Taukent mining chemical company was put into operation, having the technology of direct uranium extraction from eluates.

In 2004, the first phase of the restructuring of JSC "NAC" Kazatomprom was held. All production functions for uranium mining were transferred to the newly formed  "Mining Company LTD ", and social services supply to - "Kazatomprom-Demeu LLP".

In 2004, the subsidiary "Ulba-China" was established in free economic zone for the purpose of beryllium product sale.

In 2004, Stepnogorsk Mining - Chemical Complex (SMCC) was transferred to Kazatomprom’s control. At the time of the transfer SMCC was not in operation. In 2005 production activities at SMCC were stabilized. The plans for production of U3O8, from own raw materials, were met and 503 tons of uranium was produced.

In 2005, a syndicated loan for the amount of 150 million dollars for a period of 3 years was furnished by 11 European banks and a loan for the amount of 60 million U.S. dollars was provided by the Japanese bank Mizuho over 10 years.

In 2005, to obtain an end product of a higher quality, peroxide technology for U3O8 production was developed.

In 2005, the company began the introduction of a new concept of mine managing and it was decided to carry out the second stage restructuring of Kazatomprom. The staff of auxiliary and maintenance divisions of mining companies joined established common service centers for mine maintenance, where main profile specialists were concentrated. These measures resulted in improving the quality of operational processes and increased operational efficiency fivefold.

Within the framework of intensive uranium production program, "Kazatomprom" is active in expansion of the current infrastructure.

By 2005 over 300 km of road was reconstructed and more than 400 km of new road was laid and put into operation.More than 260 km of high voltage power lines were distributed through the Shu-Sarysuysky and Syrdarya provinces.

In order to supply the mines with basic chemical agent, in 2006, after 10-years of idleness, the sulphuric-acid plant in Stepnogorsk was put into operation.

Under a program for uranium output increase in 2006, the 1000 ton capacity "East Mynkuduk" mine was commissioned. JV "KATKO" ISL "Southern Moinkum" turned its activity to commercial operation.

In 2006, Fitch Ratings awarded Kazatomprom with its first long-term rating of an issuer in foreign currency at "BB +" and a short-term rating in foreign currency at "B". Top-rated forecast -"Positive". The same year Moody's Investors Service certified Kazatomprom as a Baa3 issuer of foreign currency. Top-rated forecast - "Stable".

In 2006 the cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia shifted to a new level. The Uranium mining enterprise "Zarechnoye" was put into commercial operation A comprehensive program of Russian-Kazakh cooperation, in the sphere of peaceful atomic energy use, was developed, and approved, under which the uranium mining JV "Akbastau", the JV “Uranium Enrichment Centre “ and the JV "Nuclear Stations" were established.

In 2006 cooperation with Japanese companies in various fields of the nuclear fuel cycle was expanded. The first uranium was supplied to the Japanese market and the Kazakh-Japanese uranium enterprise "APPAK" was established.

Cooperation with Chinese companies was deepened. The parties signed several agreements on cooperative work in various fields of nuclear energy.

In 2006, after negotiations with a Chinese partner, an agreement was signed for establishing a joint venture, located in China, targeted to produce rolled metal beryllium bronze.

In 2006, on the territory of Stepnogorsk mining – a chemical complex molibden mill was mounted. Design capacity - 500 000 tons of molybdenum ore per year.

In 2006, research work on production technology with regard to fusion reactor construction materials, under the ITER project, was launched. The reactor would retain plasma with a temperature of 120 million degrees. Beryllium was chosen as a material that would protect the reactor design from the effects of high temperatures. At UMP, through special hot extrusion technology, the first model of the main element of the fusion reactor - the cover surface of three-layer blanket, drawn to the high-temperature plasma, was designed.