Feb 20, 2006 -- BBC Monitoring

 

Kazakhstan is drafting a project to develop the nuclear power industry. This was discussed today at a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov.

The aim of the working group, to be set up specially on the prime minister's orders, is to boost work on the use of nuclear power. Currently, 4,360 t of uranium is extracted in the country, which is almost five times more than in 1997. New deposits are being developed. The cost of uranium extraction and development has fallen substantially. Kazakhstan has all conditions for developing alternative energy sources, Akhmetov believes. The uranium industry also requires the development of science-intensive technologies, which, in turn, will provide favourable grounds for developing the country's nuclear cluster. [Video shows Akhmetov chairing the meeting]

Source: Khabar Television, Almaty, in Russian 1500 gmt 20 Feb 06

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