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] 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. Then 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.
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Updated March 2007 |
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