MINEX Forum

Tag: nuclear energy

  • President Calls for Bold Decisions to Accelerate Kazakhstan’s Development

    President Calls for Bold Decisions to Accelerate Kazakhstan’s Development

    President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged government members to take decisive actions for impactful socio-economic progress. He emphasized the importance of tracking the implementation of his directives, particularly through a newly established center to enhance reform efficiency, coordinated by First Deputy Chief of Staff Darhan Satybaldy.

    The President highlighted key strategic priorities, including large-scale infrastructure projects, digitization, artificial intelligence, and nuclear energy. He stressed the urgency of building two or three nuclear power plants to establish Kazakhstan as a leader in advanced nuclear energy and digital technology.

  • World Leaders at COP29 Advocate for Nuclear Power as Key to Global Climate Goals

    World Leaders at COP29 Advocate for Nuclear Power as Key to Global Climate Goals

    At COP29 in Baku, world leaders emphasized that nuclear power is crucial to meeting global climate goals by providing a clean and safe energy alternative. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, speaking at the High-Level Segment, stressed nuclear power’s role in the energy transition and offered his country’s expertise in this field, given its 50 years of nuclear experience. “Nuclear power is essential to meet our climate goals, as it produces extremely clean energy and is also very safe,” he stated. The Czech Republic intends to phase out coal in favor of renewables and nuclear energy and is ready to assist other nations in similar efforts.

    Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed Fiala’s call for a unified global effort to combat climate change. She emphasized that new technologies, including nuclear power, are essential to reach ambitious goals, such as tripling renewable energy by 2030. Meloni advocated for “technology neutrality” to allow a diverse energy mix during the transition away from fossil fuels.

    Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s achievements in reducing emissions by 45% since 2005 and transitioning nearly 50% of its electricity generation to wind and solar. Mitsotakis acknowledged Europe’sglobal leadership in green energy but warned that the continent must increase resources to counteract “unprecedented climate shocks.” His four priorities for Europe include greater regulatory flexibility, a unified energy market, and enhanced industry support for climate adaptation.

    Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic underscored Croatia’s commitment to decarbonization and rapid renewable energy adoption, affirming that economic growth and environmental sustainability can coexist.

  • Mongolia’s Long-Delayed Uranium Project by Orano Could Begin Production by 2030

    Mongolia’s Long-Delayed Uranium Project by Orano Could Begin Production by 2030

    French state-controlled mining company Orano SA announced that its long-awaited uranium project in Mongolia, the Zuuvch Ovoo mine, could begin production by 2030, following five years of construction. The project’s future hinges on the signing of an investment agreement, with a confirmation vote scheduled for the current session of Mongolia’s parliament.

    Orano’s representative in Mongolia, Olivier Thoumyre, revealed that the mine could become the largest in the country since Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project. Zuuvch Ovoo has been in development for over a decade, initially launched by Orano’s predecessor, Areva SA, in partnership with Mongolia’s state nuclear company, Mon-Atom.

    The global demand for uranium is on the rise as countries such as China continue to build nuclear power plants, and other nations in Europe and Asia focus on nuclear energy as part of their strategies to reduce carbon emissions. This growing demand positions Mongolia to potentially become a key player in the uranium market, according to Thoumyre, who spoke at an industry event in Nalaikh, near Ulaanbaatar.

    The reappointment of Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai in July has provided a sense of stability, encouraging continued negotiations between the Mongolian government and Orano. Discussions on the project’s terms, which began a year ago, have remained active, Thoumyre added.

  • Western Nations Urged to Sever Ties with Russia’s Nuclear Giant Rosatom

    Western Nations Urged to Sever Ties with Russia’s Nuclear Giant Rosatom

    Despite Rosatom’s involvement in Russia’s occupation of Ukraine and its significant role in expanding the Kremlin’s global influence, some Western countries continue to engage in business with the state nuclear corporation. Rosatom has been instrumental in the capture and management of Ukrainian nuclear facilities, including the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which was seized by the Russian military in March 2022. With Rosatom staff actively involved in the plant’s operations under Russian supervision, there have been credible reports of the company playing a complicit role in detention and torture of Ukrainian workers at the ZNPP.

    Rosatom’s influence extends beyond Ukraine. It remains a key supplier of nuclear material and technology to countries worldwide, including EU and NATO members. Despite recent US sanctions and European efforts to diversify, Rosatomcontinues to supply 38% of enrichment services to European utilities, while countries like Hungary and Francemaintain contracts with the company.

    The ongoing reliance on Rosatom by Western countries raises concerns over both moral dissonance and energy security. Cutting ties with Rosatom is not only necessary to align support for Ukraine with action but is also crucial to curb Moscow’s long-term political influence via the nuclear sector. With Rosatom’s growing presence in key projects such as the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Turkey and the Hungarian reactors, experts argue that the time has come for Western nations to step up their efforts to replace Russian nuclear technology and fuel with viable alternatives.

  • Construction of Small Nuclear Power Plant to Begin This Summer in Jizzakh Region

    Construction of Small Nuclear Power Plant to Begin This Summer in Jizzakh Region

    Construction of a small nuclear power plant (330 MW) based on a Russian project will commence in the Jizzakh region this summer. This marks Rosatom’s first export contract for building such a station. According to the official statement, “the chosen site has already been surveyed, confirming its suitability and safety.”

    Uzbekistan will host the first small nuclear power plant in the region using Russian technology. Documents regarding this were signed on May 27 during the state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Uzbekistan. The Directorate for the Construction of Nuclear Power Plants under the Agency for Atomic Energy of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan and the company Atomstroyexport (an engineering division of Rosatom) have signed a contract to build the small nuclear power plant (SNPP) in Uzbekistan. Additionally, a protocol was signed to amend the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the construction of a nuclear power plant dated September 7, 2018.

    According to the press release from the Agency for Atomic Energy and Rosatom, the SNPP with a capacity of 330 MW (six reactors with 55 MW each) will be built in the Jizzakh region near Lake Tuzkan. Rosatom will serve as the general contractor for the construction, and Uzbek companies will also be involved.

    Construction work at the site will begin this summer. “The chosen site has already been surveyed, confirming its suitability and safety, which will significantly shorten the project implementation timeline,” the press release notes. “According to forecasts, the demand for energy resources in Uzbekistan will nearly double by 2050, and it is clear that for the stable operation of the energy system and economic development, our country must ensure itself with a basic energy source in addition to renewable energy sources,” said Azim Ahmedkhadjaev, director of the Agency for Atomic Energy.

    For Rosatom, this is the first export contract for the construction of a small nuclear power plant. “And this is not just a preliminary agreement, we are starting construction immediately this summer,” commented Alexey Likhachov, General Director of Rosatom.

    President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of this project: “Practically all leading states in the world ensure their energy security and sustainable development through nuclear energy. With substantial uranium reserves and exporting it to third countries, this project is vital for us if we think about advancing to a new stage of development for Uzbekistan.”

    The project is based on the water-cooled reactor RITM-200N. The thermal power of the RITM-200N is 190 MW, electrical power is 55 MW, and its service life is up to 60 years. The RITM-200 series reactors have been tested in Arctic conditions on Russian icebreakers. Since 2012, 10 RITM-200 reactors have been manufactured for the nuclear icebreakers Arktika, Sibir, Ural, Yakutia, and Chukotka. The first three are already in operation and fulfilling their commitments in the Arctic.

    An SNPP based on the RITM-200N reactor is also being built in the Yakut village of Ust-Kuyga. The launch of the first power unit is expected in 2027, and commissioning in 2028. The facility will supply electricity to industrial enterprises, including the development of the Kyuchus, Deputatskoye, and Tirekhtyakh deposits.

    “The nuclear power plant based on RITM-200N features a fully integrated layout, which ensures high economic efficiency of the project and the highest level of safety,” the official statement emphasizes. The safety of the planned small nuclear power plant will be achieved through multi-level systems and containment barriers, which prevent accidents and eliminate the release of radioactive substances into the environment.

  • Kazatomprom Forecasts Uranium Supply Deficit Amid Growing Global Demand

    Kazatomprom Forecasts Uranium Supply Deficit Amid Growing Global Demand

    During the “ATOMEXPO-2024” forum, Meirzhan Yusupov, Chairman of the Management Board and Member of the Board of Directors of the National Atomic Company “Kazatomprom” stated that with the increasing demand for nuclear energy worldwide, new players are expected to enter the uranium supply market, as Kazakhstan alone may not be sufficient to meet global needs. While currently, global uranium reserves are estimated at 4.7 million tons, capable of meeting the growing demands for nuclear generation in the coming decades, Yusupov noted a potential future deficit due to escalating generation needs. Despite significant geological exploration efforts, he emphasized the likelihood of a structural deficit post-2030, indicating the insufficiency of Kazatomprom alone to bridge this gap. Yusupov anticipated the emergence of new players in uranium mining, with some junior companies already actively engaged in this sector. He reassured that Kazatomprom, as a global leader, remains committed to fulfilling its contractual obligations in uranium supply.

  • Poland Requests Extension of EU Coal Plant Subsidies Until 2028 Amid Transition to Nuclear Energy

    Poland Requests Extension of EU Coal Plant Subsidies Until 2028 Amid Transition to Nuclear Energy

    Poland, in a bid to facilitate its transition to nuclear energy by the next decade, is seeking an extension of EU rules permitting coal plant subsidies until 2028. Maciej Bando, the deputy climate minister responsible for strategic energy infrastructure, emphasized the necessity of coal power generation until nuclear facilities become operational. With coal currently contributing 60% of electricity output and serving as a backup for intermittent renewable sources, Warsaw aims to have its first large-scale nuclear plant operational by 2033. Bando highlighted the potential collaboration among EU nations seeking support for their energy assets, citing Germany’s pursuit of EU approval for gas plant subsidies. Despite plans for a floating liquefied natural gas terminal in Gdansk, Bando suggested its expansion might not be necessary until after 2030 due to lower demand projections.

  • Uzbekistan Explores Collaboration with China for Black Shale Uranium Mining

    Uzbekistan Explores Collaboration with China for Black Shale Uranium Mining

    Uzbekistan is considering collaboration with China Nuclear Uranium Co., as reported by Navoiyuran’s press service, to develop black shale uranium mines. Rustam Ergashev, head of the investment projects department at Navoiyuran, underscores the increasing significance of atomic energy, which currently fulfills 11% of global electricity demand.

    “This figure reaches 70% in France, 50% in Hungary, and 20% in the USA,” notes Ergashev. Nations like China, India, and countries across the Middle East, Africa, and South America are expanding their nuclear power programs in response to this trend.

    For Navoiyuran, a company focused solely on exports, this presents new opportunities for collaboration in the nuclear raw materials market. The visit of a delegation from China Nuclear Uranium Co. (CNUC), a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), signals a significant step toward enhancing collaboration in this field.

    “China Nuclear Uranium Co. is a prominent player in China’s nuclear energy sector, involved in uranium exploration, mining, and processing,” explains Ergashev. The company operates uranium mines domestically and engages in joint ventures in countries like Namibia and Kazakhstan.

    During the visit led by Yang Runsheng, the company’s chief engineer, experts from China Nuclear Uranium Co. explored black shale uranium mining fields in Uzbekistan, visiting the “Ma’danli” and “Koscheka” fields to study mining operations and technological samples for uranium and rare element extraction from ore compositions.

    The meeting between Chinese experts and Navoiyuran’s General Director, J. Fayzullaev, focused on developing technologies for black shale uranium mining and exploring prospects for future cooperation. Collaboration between Uzbekistan and China holds promise for advancing the nuclear energy sector in both countries.

    In July 2023, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev endorsed initiatives to boost uranium mining and processing in Uzbekistan, aiming to double production by 2030. In November 2023, Navoiyuran entered a strategic cooperation memorandum with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) in the uranium sector.

    Since 2016, Uzbekistan has consistently held the position of the fifth-largest uranium producer worldwide, with uranium reserves exceeding 100,000 tons. The Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine (NMMC), Uzbekistan’s primary uranium mining company, predominantly exports uranium products, constituting 99.5% of its export portfolio.

    French President Macron’s visit to Uzbekistan in November 2023 signals France’s strategic interest in Central Asia and Europe, aiming to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on China for critical minerals.

  • Designs chosen for mini nuclear reactors

    Designs chosen for mini nuclear reactors

    The government has selected designs from six companies for the development of the next generation of mini nuclear reactors. EDF, GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy International LLC, Holtec Britain Limited, NuScale Power, Rolls Royce, and Westinghouse Electric Company UK Limited have been chosen to proceed to the next phase of the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) competition. This initiative is part of the government’s plan to derive up to a quarter of the UK’s electricity from nuclear power by 2050.

    SMRs, being smaller in size compared to conventional nuclear reactors, can be manufactured in factories, resulting in faster and more cost-effective construction. The government and Great British Nuclear have deemed these selected designs as the most capable of delivering operational SMRs by the mid-2030s.

    In the upcoming stage, the companies will have the opportunity to bid for government contracts. Successful bids from the six companies will proceed to the contract award stage in the summer of next year.

    Claire Coutinho, the Energy Security Secretary, emphasized the benefits of Small Modular Reactors in rapidly expanding nuclear power in the UK. She highlighted that SMRs will contribute to delivering cheaper, cleaner, and more secure energy for both households and businesses, while also creating well-paid, high-skilled jobs and fostering economic growth. This competition has attracted designs from around the world, positioning the UK at the forefront of the global race in developing this cutting-edge technology and solidifying its status as a leader in nuclear innovation.

    Gwen Parry-Jones, the CEO of Great British Nuclear, expressed the significance of this announcement in advancing the government’s objective of bolstering nuclear power in the country. The priority throughout this process has been to prioritize reliable and sustainable power supply to the grid at an early stage. Therefore, the initial focus was on technologies that were deemed most likely to achieve a final investment decision by 2029. The selected companies can now prepare for the subsequent stages of the competition, with the aim of reaching a final contract agreement in the summer. They may potentially benefit from significant support from public funds.

    Through these advancements, the UK is taking significant strides towards realizing its nuclear power goals, ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy future.

  • Turkey demands closure of Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear plant

    Turkey demands closure of Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear plant

    Turkey has recently announced its ongoing international efforts to close down the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant in Armenia. This decision is primarily driven by the plant’s operational lifespan coming to an end and the associated security risks it poses. Concerns have been raised by citizens in the city of Iğdır, located approximately 16 kilometers from the plant, prompting the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Petitions Committee to respond to these petitions.

    In its response, the committee informed citizens that a radiation emergency plan has been developed in Iğdır to mitigate potential risks. Turkey has also been actively urging the international community to take action in shutting down the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. The committee based its response on information provided by relevant ministries, institutions, and organizations involved in this matter.

    Furthermore, the response highlighted that informational campaigns have been conducted in the border villages of Iğdır to raise awareness among local residents. Additionally, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, iodine tablets have been procured and distributed as a precautionary measure. Moreover, exercises simulating a radiation emergency scenario have been conducted in the city to enhance preparedness at the local level.

    In parallel, it is worth noting that despite expert warnings, the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NGS) in Gülnar, Mersin, is still underway. This $20 billion project consists of four power units, each equipped with Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors. Construction is progressing simultaneously, with significant milestones reached, such as the completion of welding processes for the first power unit’s reactor cooling pipeline and the official granting of status to the plant on April 27, 2023, marked by the arrival of the “first fuel rod.”

    These developments underscore Turkey’s commitment to addressing nuclear safety concerns, both domestically and in the broader region. It demonstrates the country’s proactive approach to safeguarding the well-being of its citizens and working towards a secure and sustainable future.