Uranium processing may be established in Tajikistan
By Nazrin Gadimova
The French uranium mining giant Areva intends to establish uranium processing in Tajikistan, Director of Geological Survey of Tajikistan Azim Ibrahim said at the press briefing on July 9.
The sides agreed to undersign a draft memorandum on cooperation with the relevant government departments and now the document is under consideration of the government, Ibrahim said.
AREVA's Mining is one of the three major international companies on processing uranium. Group has a diversified portfolio of operating mines in Canada, Kazakhstan and Niger, as well as development projects in Africa.
"If we manage to sign the document, then it will have a positive impact on the investment climate of the republic,'' Ibrahim said.
He went on to say that Tajikistan has sufficient reserves of uranium and this industry is perspective.
Areva Mining business group covers exploration, extraction and processing of uranium ore uranium producer in the world, with a market share of around 14.6% in 2008. The group holds a broad portfolio of mines in operation (Canada, Kazakhstan and Niger), as well as projects and the reclamation of sites after production has finished. AREVA is the third largest under development (Africa).
Today, there is no active uranium mining in Tajikistan. According to the official data, Tajikistan has 13 percent of the reserves of uranium in the world, but its production is difficult because of the difficult mountainous terrain of the country.