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Made in Kazakhstan: Kazatomprom provides nuclear fuel to Chinese nuclear power plants

31 May 2023
Made in Kazakhstan: Kazatomprom provides nuclear fuel to Chinese nuclear power plants

A solemn ceremony of acceptance of nuclear fuel – fuel assemblies (FAs) manufactured at the joint Kazakh-Chinese enterprise Ulba-FA LLP in Ust-Kamenogorsk took place at the site of the nuclear power plant in Fangchengang. The event was attended by representatives of NAC Kazatomprom JSC (Kazatomprom or Company), Ulba Metallurgical Plant JSC (UMP), Ulba-FA LLP, China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) and CGNPC Uranium Resources Company Limited (CGNPC-URC).

The plant delivered another batch of FAs containing more than 30 tons of low-enriched uranium. The high-tech finished products successfully passed quality control and were accepted by the client. Fuel pellets made at the UMP from Kazakhstani uranium raw materials are used in the production of fuel assemblies. After the planned loading of the reactor with fuel, the generation and supply of electricity to Chinese consumers will begin. The breakthrough project became real thanks to the joint work with CGN and gave a new impetus to the further development of bilateral relations.

"Our countries have many years of experience in cooperation in the nuclear industry. Kazatomprom and CGN are strategic partners with a wide range of interactions. We have implemented a number of successful projects for uranium mining, production of fuel pellets and fuel assemblies. We are proud that Kazakhstan's nuclear fuel will meet the needs of China's nuclear power industry, contributing to mitigating the effects of global climate change and achieving the global goal of low-carbon development. Thanks to our cooperation, Kazatomprom acquires new experience and becomes a supplier of an integrated package of services – from the production of natural uranium oxide to the production and sale of the final products of the pre-reactor nuclear fuel cycle in the form of FAs," said Yerzhan Mukanov, CEO of Kazatomprom.

"Today is a significant historical event for Kazatomprom and CGN Corporation. We are pleased to note the increasing dynamics of cooperation between our companies in the field of the nuclear fuel cycle. All our achievements are the result of the fruitful work of the Kazakh-Chinese team. I am confident that we will continue to strengthen and expand all areas of mutually beneficial partnership. We thank all our colleagues who have made a significant contribution to the successful implementation of this project,” said Dosbolat Sarymsakov, Chief NFC Officer of Kazatomprom at the ceremony.

In 2024, Ulba-FA plans to increase production volumes to reach full production capacity, which is 200 tons of uranium in the form of FAs per year. The plant has a guaranteed sales market for 20 years ahead. The launch of the innovative enterprise allowed Kazakhstan to enter a limited circle of states-producers and suppliers of nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants.

As previously reported, the first batch of fuel assemblies from the Ulba-FA LLP plant to the nuclear power plant in China was delivered in December last year. Several more batches of nuclear fuel from Kazakhstan to China are expected to be delivered by the end of this year.

"Today we accept the second delivery of fuel assemblies from the Kazakhstan plant to China according to the delivery schedule and in accordance with the requirements for product quality. China is dynamically developing the nuclear industry and increasing the share of nuclear energy in its energy balance. We give a great value to nuclear safety and, accordingly, to the quality of FAs supplied to nuclear power plants, therefore we are especially pleased with the successful acceptance of the next batch of FAs produced in Kazakhstan. With the plant reaching production capacity, Ulba-FA LLP will take its significant role in providing fuel to our power plants. We are convinced that through the efforts of our companies, the work on further deepening and expanding cooperation between our countries will continue," noted An Junjing, Chair of the Board of Directors of CGNPC-URC in his speech.

During the working visit, the Kazakh delegation got acquainted with the work of the Center for Advanced Fuel and Nuclear Power Plants in Yangjiang. Negotiations were held between Dosbolat Sarymsakov, Chief NFC Officer of Kazatomprom, and An Junjin, Chair of the Board of Directors of CGNPC-URC. The parties discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation, including further plans for the plant to reach its design capacity. Following the meeting, the participants agreed to actively use the potential of the two countries for further development and strengthening of strategic partnership in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy.

 

For further information, please contact:

Kazatomprom Investor Relations Inquiries

Yerlan Magzumov, IR Director

Tel.: +7 7172 45 81 80 / 69

Email: ir@kazatomprom.kz

Kazatomprom Public Relations and Media Inquiries

Sabina Kumurbekova, PR Director

Gazhayip Kumisbek, Chief Expert of PR Department

Tel.: +7 7172 45 80 22

Email: pr@kazatomprom.kz

Copy of this announcement will be available at www.kazatomprom.kz.

 

About Kazatomprom

Kazatomprom is the largest uranium producer in the world with natural uranium production in proportion to the Company's participatory interest in the amount of about 22% of the total global primary uranium production in 2022. The group has the largest uranium reserve base in the industry. Kazatomprom, together with subsidiaries, affiliates and joint organizations, is developing 26 deposits combined into 14 uranium mining enterprises. All uranium mining enterprises are located on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan and when mine uranium use in-situ recovery technology, paying particular attention to best HSE practices and means (ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certified).

Kazatomprom's securities are listed on the London Stock Exchange, the Astana International Exchange and the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange. Kazatomprom is the National Atomic Company of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the main customers of the group are operators of nuclear generating capacities, and the main export markets for products are China, South and East Asia, North America and Europe. The Group sells uranium and uranium products under long-term and short-term contracts, as well as on the spot market directly from its corporate centre in Astana, Kazakhstan, as well as through a trading subsidiary in Switzerland, Trading House KazakAtom (THK).

For more information, please, visit our website www.kazatomprom.kz.

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