During the Soviet era, the Kara-Balta
Ore Mining Combine processed uranium concentrate from deposits in
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for use in Soviet nuclear power plants. When
Kyrgyzstan became independent in 1991, the plant fell idle for lack of raw
material until 1994, when it reached an agreement with Kazakhstan to process
the latter's uranium concentrate.[1,2] As of 2001,
Kara-Balta continues to process Kazakhstani uranium concentrate into U3O8
in an arrangement with the Nuclear Power and Industrial Complex of
Kazakhstan (Kazatomprom).
Uranium extraction in Kyrgyzstan
itself has ceased. Kara-Balta exports U3O8
to
Kazatomprom's customers, who include Russia.[3] In 1999, Kara-Balta
processed 450 metric tons (t) of Kazakhstani U3O8, which is about
30-35% of the combine's capacity.[4]
Beginning in 2000, the Russian Ministry of Atomic
Energy (Minatom) began to
restore ties with Kara-Balta and the uranium industry in Central Asia in
general. In June 2000, Minatom agreed to supply Kyrgyzstan with border
control systems and in July 2000 Kyrgyzstan agreed to a three-way
venture with Kazakhstan and Russia in which Kazakhstani uranium
concentrate is to be processed at Kara-Balta for the Russian nuclear
industry.
Minatom involvement in Kyrgyzstan serves several purposes. First, to reestablish relations with nuclear-related facilities that were part
of the Soviet nuclear industry.[5] Such relations are needed, since Russia reportedly draws on reserves each year to make up a 5,000 to 6,000MT
shortfall in domestic Russian uranium production.[6] Second, to bolster Kyrgyzstan's economy and, consequently, its
capability to defend itself, if necessary. Former Russian Minister of Atomic Energy
Yevgeniy Adamov noted that it
is in Russia's own economic interests to strengthen Kyrgyzstan's
borders.[5] Third, Minatom stands to benefit
financially under the agreement to upgrade equipment
along 350km of Kyrgyzstan's border at an average cost of 1.2 million rubles ($43,000 as of
23 June 2000) per kilometer.[7] Sources: [1] "Eurasia," Nuexco Review, 1992, p.
60. [2] "Kyrgyzstan," Nuexco Review, 1994, p.
52. [3] Dmitriy Glumskov, "Kyrgyzskiy gornorudnyy kombinat budet uchastvovat
v
razrabotke uranovogo mestorozhdeniya "Zarechnoye" v Zhambylskoy
oblasti," Panorama online edition, http://www.panorama.kz,
No. 31, August 2000. [4] "Kirgiziya namerena uvelichit proizvodstvo urana vdvoye,"
Interfax, 21 October 2000. [5] Vladimir Kucherenko, "Kirgiziya vstupayet v 'uranovyy proyekt' s
Rossiyey," Rossiskaya gazeta, No. 242, 23 December 2000. [6] Interfax, 17 April 2001; in "Kazakhstan to export uranium to
Russia," FBIS Document CEP20010417000365. [7] Lyudmila Romanova, Nezavisimaya gazeta, 23 June 2000, p. 5; in
"Russian Atomic Energy Ministry to 'Modernize' Kyrgyzstani
Border," FBIS Document CEP20000623000115.{Entered 4/20/2001 KB} Kara-Balta Ore Mining Combine LOCATION:Kara-Balta
ADDRESS: 1 ulitsa Trud
Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan 720398
[WISE Uranium
Project, http://www.antenna.nl/wise/uranium/uckar.htm.]{Entered
4/20/2001 KB} ADMINISTRATION: General Director: Narynbek Kozhomatov[1]
Director, Chemical Metallurgical Plant for Uranium Production: Valeriy
Trenin[2]
Sources: [1] Dmitriy Glumskov, "Kyrgyzskiy gornorudnyy kombinat budet uchastvovat v
razrabotke uranovogo mestorozhdeniya 'Zarechnoye' v Zhambylskoy oblasti,"
Panorama online edition, http://www.panorama.kz,
No. 31, August 2000. [2] "Kirgiziya namerena uvelichit proizvodstvo urana vdvoye,"
Interfax, 21 October 2000.{Entered 4/20/2001 KB} BACKGROUND: The combine was commissioned in 1954 as part of the Yuzhpolimetal
Association (the Southern Polymetal Mining and Metallurgical Plant) in order
to process uranium and other strategic metals from deposits in both Kyrgyzstan
and Kazakhstan.[1,2,3] In 1993, it was renamed the Kara-Balta Ore Mining
Combine.[2]
Sources: [1] "Suspension Agreements: The Status Quota," The
Nuclear Review, January 1996, pp. 13-19. [2] Uranium Institute News Briefing, No. 93/7, pp. 30-31. [3] Nuclear Fuel, 22 November 1993, p. 6; and 27
September 1993, p. 15. ACTIVITIES: Activities at the Kara-Balta Ore Mining Combine include
the processing of uranium and molybdenum and the refining of gold.[1] Under
agreements signed with Kazakhstan in 1994, 1996, and
1997, Kara-Balta produces about 450MT of U3O8
each year from uranium concentrate provided by the
Stepnoye and
Tsentralnoye
Mining Directorates in Kazakhstan.[2,3,4,5] In July 2000, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan
agreed to form a three-way venture whereby Kara-Balta
would
process additional uranium concentrate from Kazakhstan's Zarechnoye deposit for the Russian nuclear power
industry.[5,6] Some experts report that Kara-Balta had enrichment capability in the late
1970s, probably
involving gas centrifuge technology. Other scientists, however, maintain
that it only had the capability to convert uranium concentrate to uranium
hexafluoride.[7]
Sources: [1] "Rossiya i Kirgiziya 10
dekabrya podpishut soglasheniye po uranu, tsvetnym i dragotsennym metallam,"
Interfax, 9 December 2000. [2] "Kyrgyzstan," Nuexco Review, 1994, p.
52. [3] The Monitor, "Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Form Uranium
Joint Venture," 30 May 1996. [4] Interfax, 28 August 1997; in
"Kazakh-Kyrgyz Plant to Produce 450 Tonnes Uranium in 1997,"
FBIS-SOV-97-240. [5] UX Weekly, 28 August
2000, p. 3; in Uranium Institute News Briefing 00.35,
23-29 August 2000, Uranium Institute Web Site, http://www.uilondon.org/nb/nb00/nb0035.htm. [6] "Russia,
Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan To Form Uranium Mining Joint Venture," Interfax, 31 July 2000. [7] William C. Potter, interview with Russian nuclear
scientist.{Updated 4/20/2001 KB} STRUCTURE: The uranium division of Kara-Balta
is a separate company, the Chemical Metallurgical Plant for Uranium
Production, wholly owned by the Kara-Balta Ore Mining Combine.[1,2] Sources: [1] Interfax Financial Daily Report, Volume III, Issue 29 (593),
15 February 1999; in "Interfax Financial Report for 15 February
1999," FBIS Document FTS19990216000889. [2] "Kirgiziya namerena uvelichit proizvodstvo urana vdvoye,"
Interfax, 21 October 2000.{Entered 4/20/2001 KB}
CLOSED URANIUM MINING OPERATIONS IN KYRGYZSTAN FACILITY: Ak-Tyuz
LOCATION: Orlovka
STATUS: Uranium mining operations have ceased, but the
Kyrgyz
Chemical Metallurgical Plant in Orlovka continues to mine thorium, zirconium,
and scandium.[1,2,3]
Sources: [1] "Soobshcha za khvost potyanem!" Vechernyy Bishkek
online edition, http://www.vb.kyrnet.kg/2000/12/13,
No. 241 (7661), 13 December 2000. [2] USSR Energy Atlas, January 1985, p. 42. [3] NISNP interview with Kyrgyzstani physicist, September 1994.
{Updated 4/20/2001 KB} FACILITY:Kadzhi-Say LOCATION: Kadzhi-Say
STATUS: Uranium mining operations associated with lignite coal
mining have been inactive since the early 1970s.[1,2,3]
Sources: [1] NISNP interview with Kyrgyzstani physicist, September 1994. [2] Oleg Bukharin, The Threat Of Nuclear Terrorism And
The Physical Security Of Nuclear Installations And Materials In The Former
Soviet Union: CRES Occasional Paper No. 2 (Monterey, CA: Center
for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Monterey Institute of International
Studies), p. 17. [3] Vitaliy Ponomarev, "The Nuclear Industry In
Kazakhstan And Kyrgyzstan," Central Asia Monitor, No. 2, 1993,
p. 34. {Updated 4/20/2001 KB}
FACILITY: Kyzyl-Dzhar
LOCATION: Kyzyl-Dzhar
STATUS: Uranium mining operations associated with gold production
are nonoperational.[1,2] Uranium mining caused major environmental
damage to the region.[1,3]
Sources: [1] NISNP interview with Kyrgyzstani physicist, September 1994. [2] Aleksandr Yemelyanenkov et al., Atom bez grifa "Sekretno":
tochki zreniya, (Moscow, Berlin: 1992), p. 34. [3] Correspondence with senior Kyrgyz officials. {Updated
4/20/2001 KB}
FACILITY:Mayli-Suu LOCATION: north of Osh
STATUS: Uranium mining operations from sandstone are nonoperational.[1]
Uranium mining caused major environmental damage to the region.[2,3]
Sources: [1] Mining Journal, 27 April 1990, p. 22. [2] NISNP interview with Kyrgyzstani physicist, September 1994. [3] Correspondence with senior Kyrgyz officials. {Updated
4/20/2001 KB}
FACILITY: Min-Kush (also known as Kavak)
LOCATION: Min-Kush
STATUS: Uranium mining and milling operations associated with lignite coal
mining, operational in the 1960s, have been shut down.[1,2,3]
Sources: [1] USSR Energy Atlas, January 1985, p. 42. [2] Oleg Bukharin, The Threat Of Nuclear Terrorism And
The Physical Security Of Nuclear Installations And Materials In The Former
Soviet Union: CRES Occasional Paper No. 2 (Monterey, CA: Center
for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Monterey Institute of International
Studies), p. 17. [3] Vitaliy Ponomarev, "The Nuclear Industry In
Kazakhstan And Kyrgyzstan," Central Asia Monitor, No. 2, 1993,
p. 34.
FACILITY: Tonskiy Bay
LOCATION: Issyk Kul
STATUS: Uranium mining operations have been inactive since the early 1970s.[1,2]
Sources: [1] NISNP interview with Kyrgyzstani physicist, September 1994. [2] Oleg Bukharin, The Threat Of Nuclear Terrorism And
The Physical Security Of Nuclear Installations And Materials In The Former
Soviet Union: CRES Occasional Paper No. 2 (Monterey, CA: Center
for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Monterey Institute of International
Studies), p. 17.
URANIUM MINING AND MILLING
DEVELOPMENTS:
12/9/2000: KYRGYZSTAN
AND MINATOM SIGN
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT On 9 December 2000, Kyrgyzstani Minister of Defense
Esen Topoyev and Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov signed a
cooperative agreement on the production of uranium, nonferrous and precious
metals, and other strategic materials. Under the agreement, uranium
supplied by Kazakhstan will be processed at Kara-Balta Ore Mining Combine
for the Russian nuclear power market.[1,2] Minatom will operate the
combine[2,3] and provide new equipment,[4] in part with funding from foreign
investors.[1]
Sources: [1] "Rossiya i Kirgiziya 10 dekabrya podpishut soglasheniye
po uranu, tsvetnym i dragotsennym metallam," Interfax, 9 December 2000. [2] Vladimir Kucherenko, "Kirgiziya
vstupayet v 'uranovyy proyekt' s Rossiyey," Rossiskaya gazeta, No.
242, 23
December 2000. [3] Slovo Kyrgyzstana, 20 April
2001, p. 5; in "Russo-Kyrgyzstani-Kazakhstani agreements help bolster
regional security," FBIS Document CEP20010428000132. [4] "Kyrgyzstan, Russia Close to Creating Uranium JV," Interfax, 13 April 2001.{Entered 4/20/2001 KB}
10/20/2000: KYRGYZSTAN OFFERS RUSSIA
OWNERSHIP OF KARA-BALTA According to a 20 October 2000 Interfax report, the government of Kyrgyzstan
offered to transfer government shares in 23 Kyrgyzstani enterprises,
including the Kara-Balta Ore Mining Combine, to
Russia to meet a $150 million debt. Other enterprises on the list were
Dastan (also known as Fizpribor), which makes torpedoes for the Russian
Navy, and
the Kyrgyz Chemical Metallurgical Plant.
Sources: [1] "Kirgiziya predlagayet Rossii zavody po proizvodstvu urana i redkikh
metallov," Interfax, No. 3, 20 October 2000. [2] Zhyldysbek Kerimbayev, "Kirgiziya otdayet Rossii predpriyatiya
VPK," Kommersant online edition, 25 October 2000, http://www.kommersant.ru.{Entered
4/18/2001 KB}
7/28/2000: RUSSIA, KYRGYZSTAN, AND
KAZAKHSTAN AGREE TO FORM TRILATERAL URANIUM VENTURE In July 2000, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Russia agreed
to form a trilateral venture, in which uranium concentrate from the
Zarechnoye deposit in Kazakhstan's Zhambyl Oblast is to be processed at Kara-Balta for use in Russian
nuclear power plants.[1] The venture will include the Kara-Balta
Ore Mining Combine of Kyrgyzstan,
Kazatomprom of Kazakhstan, Atomredmetzoloto of
Russia, and possibly Tajikistani
facilities in the future.[1,2] Under the proposed agreement, Kara-Balta will
obtain a concession to the Zarechnoye uranium deposit, where uranium will be
extracted using the in-situ leaching process. The uranium slurry will
be processed into U3O8 at Kara-Balta. The
venture plans to begin production by the end of 2001 and expects initial
output to be 500 to 700 metric tons (t) per year, increasing eventually to
1,600 to 1,700t, according to Kyrgyzstani Minister of Industry and Trade
Arzymat Sulaimankulov.[3]
According to Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov, the venture will initially operate
by exchanging debts between the parties. The Russian Joint Stock Company TVEL
is in debt to Ulba
Metallurgy Plant for nuclear fuel rods and Kazakhstan owes money to
Kyrgyzstan for electricity. Under the three-way venture, Kazakhstani
energy consumers will pay Ulba, Ulba will continue to supply nuclear fuel
rods to TVEL, TVEL will pay for new border control systems
in Kyrgyzstan, and Kyrgyzstan will continue to supply electricity to
Kazakhstan.[2,4]
Sources: [1] "Russia,
Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan To Form Uranium Mining JV," Interfax, 31 July 2000. [2] Vladimir Kucherenko, "Kirgiziya vstupayet v 'uranovyy proyekt' s
Rossiyey," Rossiskaya gazeta, No. 242, 23
December 2000. [3] "Kyrgyzstan, Russia Close to Creating Uranium JV," Interfax, 13 April 2001. [4] Natalya Pereverten, "Moskva vozvrashchayetsya v Tsentralnuyu Aziyu,"
Nezavisimaya gazeta, 11 April 2001.{Entered 4/20/2001 KB}
6/22/2000: MINATOM TO EQUIP KYRGYZSTAN'S BORDERS On 22 June 2000 the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy
and the Kyrgyzstani Ministry of Defense signed an agreement in which Russia will
rebuild Kyrgyzstan's border guard and control systems. Minatom enterprises, which
were instrumental in developing the original Soviet-era border
control system in Kyrgyzstan, will supply the equipment for
at least 350km of Kyrgyzstan's border at a cost of about 1.2 million rubles ($43,000 as of
22 June 2000) per kilometer. A group of
representatives from the United States was in Bishkek the same day to
present its version for strengthening Kyrgyzstan's border control
systems.[1] Kyrgyzstan will pay for the equipment by engaging in a trilateral
venture in which Kazakhstani uranium slurry is to be processed by Kara-Balta
Ore Mining Combine for use in Russian nuclear power plants.[2] The
equipment includes Vitim, Fara, and Gardina radar systems.[3] Sources: [1] Lyudmila Romanova, Nezavisimaya gazeta, 23 June 2000, p. 5; in
"Russian Atomic Energy Ministry to 'Modernize' Kyrgyzstani
Border," FBIS Document CEP20000623000115. [2] Natalya Pereverten, "Moskva vozvrashchayetsya v Tsentralnuyu Aziyu,"
Nezavisimaya gazeta, 11 April 2001. [3] Vladimir Kucherenko, "Kirgiziya vstupayet v uranovyy proyekt s
Rossiyey," Rossiskaya gazeta, No. 242, 23
December 2000.{Entered 4/23/2001 KB}
11/99: ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK CONSIDERING
CLEAN-UP PROJECT The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is considering
providing Kyrgyzstan with a low-interest loan of approximately $20 million
to finance the clean-up of contamination at Kyrgyzstani uranium mining
sites, according to a representative of the ADB. If approved, the project
would commence with a six-month study of the country's major mines to
determine which sites need to be cleaned up first and what sort of
infrastructure will be necessary. The second stage of the project will
be the actual clean-up work at one to three sites, which may cost up to $30
million. The ADB loan is conditional upon Kyrgyzstan banning all uranium
mining and processing activity. Depending on the length of negotiations, the
initial study could begin in the first half of 2000, and implementation
could begin in 2001. The ADB is considering providing assistance to clean up
all major uranium sites.
[CNS NIS Representative Office Discussion
with ADB Representative, 1 November 1999, KYR991107.] {Entered 11/19/99 LBN} 8/15/97: KYRGYZSTAN AND KAZAKHSTAN CREATE A
URANIUM PROCESSING JOINT VENTURE Kazakhstani Deputy Prime Minister Umirzak Shukeyev
and Kyrgyzstani Prime Minister Apas Szhumagulov signed an agreement in
Bishkek to establish a new uranium processing joint venture at the Kara-Balta
mining complex.[1] The venture will initially process up to
1000 MT of Kazakhstani U308 per year, increasing to 2000 MT U3O8 per
year.[2] The enterprise plans to process 450 MT in 1998.[3]
Kazatomprom will own a 65 percent share of the joint venture, while Kara-Balta
will own 35 percent.[2] The agreement plans to add
Tajikstan's Leninabad Minining and Metallurgical Plant Number 6 to the
joint venture at an unspecified later date.[4] One unnamed official
stated that the purpose behind the Kazakh-Kyrgyz enterprise is to circumvent
the normal processing route away from Tselinnyy Mining and Chemical
Plant in northern Kazakhstan. The Tselinnyy facility has remained inoperative
since Spring 1997 after the Kazakhstani government annulled an agreement
with the former managing contractor, World Wide Minerals.[2] Deputy
general director of Kara-Balta Anatoliy Grebenyuk stated that while Russia
will be the primary recipient of the new venture's processed uranium, the
United States, Germany, Japan, and France have also shown interest in
purchasing their uranium.[4]
Sources: [1] Interfax, 28 August 1997; in
"Kazakh-Kyrgyz Plant to Produce 450 Tonnes Uranium in 1997,"
FBIS-SOV-97-240. [2] "Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Sign
Mining/Processing Pact," FreshFUEL, 15 September 1997, pp. 1-2. [3] Novecon, 29 August 1997; in UI
News Briefing, 2 September 1997. [4] Yuri Razgulyayev,
"Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Uranium Tandem Created," Delovoy Mir,
5-8 September 1997, p 3; in "Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Set Up Uranium
Joint Venture," FBIS-SOV-97-251. [entered 1/28/98 djw] 5/29/96: KARA-BALTA ENTERPRISE BECAME A JOINT VENTURE FOR URANIUM
MINING AND PROCESSING The management of the Kyrgyz Kara-Balta uranium enterprise announced that
an agreement has been signed with Kazak nuclear authorities to turn Kara-Balta
into a joint venture for uranium mining and processing.
[The Monitor, "Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Form Uranium
Joint Venture," 30 May 1996.]
1/96: BISHKEK HAS NOT RESPONDED TO US PROPOSALS Bishkek has still not responded to US proposals, tendered in December
1993, on developing a quota and pricing system to delimit uranium exports
from Kyrgyzstan to the United States. US policy makers suggested
arrangements ranging from 260 thousand pounds of U3O8 at $13 per pound to
650 thousand pounds of U3O8 at $20 per pound.
["Suspension Agreements: The Status Quota," The
Nuclear Review, January 1996, p. 19.]
1/95: KYRGYZ-KAZAKH AGREEMENT ON PRODUCING AND MARKETING URANIUM According to an agreement reached between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, some
uranium mined in Kazakhstan will be processed at the Kara-Balta Mining Plant. A Kyrgyz-Kazak bilateral agreement was reached in June 1994 to
produce and market uranium between 1994 and 2000. Under the terms of the
agreement, uranium mining companies in Kazakhstan will ship 1000t of concentrate containing 40 to 45 percent uranium to Kara-Balta
for processing. The processed material will then be marketed by the Kazak
National Atomic Energy and Industry Company (KATEP), with profits being
divided 71 percent to Kazakhstan and 29 percent to Kyrgyzstan.[1]
Reportedly, the facilities of this giant industrial complex were nearly idle
throughout 1994 (an insignificant portion of its production facilities had
been used to assemble South Korean refrigerators and microwave rangers from
imported parts). The plant is now being revived.[2]
Sources: [1] "Kyrgyzstan," Nuexco Review, 1994, p.
52. [2] ITAR-TASS, 21 January 1995; in "Kazakhstan Agrees
To Join Uranium Production," FBIS-SOV-95-014, 21 January 1995.
6/7/95: PRIVATIZATION OF KARA-BALTA PLANT Kyrgyzstan is considering privatizing 49% of the Kara-Balta gold and
uranium plant.
12/20/94: KARA-BALTA PLANT FILED A LAW SUIT Kyrgyzstan's Kara-Balta Mining Plant filed suit against Oren Benton, his
Concord Services, Nuexco Trading Corp., and Nuexco Exchange AG, complaining
that Benton had failed to pay Kara-Balta some $2.8 million as a result of
uranium purchases made in 1992 and January 1993 by Global Services &
Supply from Russia's Tekhsnabexport. The 209,588 kg. of uranium (U3O8) had
been processed at Kara-Balta facilities.[1] The 1992 anti-dumping agreement
between the US and former Soviet-bloc countries left Nuexco holding Russian
uranium that it could not sell in the US, forcing them to seek Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection in Denver on 23 February 1995.[2]
Sources: [1] Nuclear Fuel, 2 January 1995; p. 2. [2] Nuclear Fuel, April 1995; p. 13.
5/94: AGREEMENT WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION Kyrgyzstan signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the
European Union to develop political and economic relations. The accord
established the framework for cooperation in many sectors - including
energy, mining, and raw materials - that may be financed through the EU's
technical assistance program for former Soviet republics (TACIS). One of the
projects will be the development of a transportation and distribution system
for natural and low-enriched uranium, paid for by the EU.
["Kyrgyzstan," Nuexco Review, 1994, p.
52.]
9/93: QUOTAS FOR URANIUM SALES The Kyrgyz government asked the US Department of Commerce for price-tied
quotas for uranium sales in the US. The DOC has since proposed a quota
starting at 188,000 pounds of U308 per year at $13/lb, with a potential
increase to 470,000 pounds of U3O8 per year at $20/lb.
["UI Says Kyrgyzstan Mill Is Working," Nuclear
Fuel, 22 November 1993, p. 6.]
10/21/92: SUSPENSION OF THE ANTIDUMPING INVESTIGATIONS The US Department of Commerce decided to suspended its uranium antidumping
investigations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan as
long as a price-based quota, starting when the US market price is $13/lb for
U3O8 is imposed. The investigation was filed by an ad hoc group of US
uranium miners and the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union. Agreements
were also signed with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan but no quotas were
established since these republics have uranium mills but no mines. Should
Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan open any mines at a later date, the agreement
states that quotas may be set. This agreement will remain in force until
October 15, 2000.
["CIS Republics Sign U Suspension Agreement to End
Antidumping Agreement," Nuclear Fuel, 21 October 1994, pp. 1-6.]
1992: YUZHPOLIMETAL SWITCHES TO GOLD PRODUCTION Nuexco Review reported that although Yuzhpolimetal produced an estimated
three million pounds of U3O8 in 1992, the facility would no longer produce uranium and in the future would convert to gold production. The
change was reportedly precipitated by the cessation of slurry shipments from
in-situ leaching (ISL) operations in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
["Eurasia," Nuexco Review, 1992, p. 60.]
