25 Sept (NucNet): Kazakhstan’s civil nuclear market is to be opened up to Canadian companies under a planned nuclear cooperation agreement between the two countries.
Canada’s international trade minister Stockwell Day said yesterday that Canadian firms have “a full array of products and services to offer Kazakhstan’s growing market for nuclear energy”.
He added: “Given its expertise in nuclear energy, Canada will continue to play a growing role in this energy-rich country, especially in oil and gas and uranium extraction, as well as in the supply and service of pipeline equipment.”
The Canadian government said the Cameco Corporation, one of the world’s largest uranium producers, would be one of the companies that would benefit from the cooperation agreement.
All nuclear material, equipment and technology transferred by Canada will be used only for “peaceful, non-explosive purposes”, the government said.
Both sides are now working to finalise the legal text of the agreement before signing and implementation.
In 2007, Cameco and Kazatomprom announced a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on the development of uranium conversion capacity and to pursue additional uranium production.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Cameco To Develop Uranium Mine In Kazakhstan (Business News No. 17, 2 April 2004)
Plans For Kazakhstan Conversion Plant Move Forward (News in Brief No. 65, 5 June 2008)
