Kazakhstan, Switzerland may create a tantalum JV in Africa
ASTANA. April 10 (Interfax) - Kazakh national nuclear corporation Kazatomprom and Switzerland's Minerals Resources International (MRI) intend to create a tantalum joint venture, said Vladimir Shkolnik, head of Kazatomprom.
"We have a tantalum-niobium production facility which imports feedstock from all over the world. Together with MRI, that holds mineral licenses for deposits located in South Africa and has earlier created joint ventures with other companies, we plan to organize a JV that will supply feedstock to our Ulba Metallurgical Plant," Shkolnik told journalists on the sidelines of the first session of the Kazakh-Swiss Business Council in Astana.
A feasibility study into the project is underway, Shkolnik said.
He also said that the Swiss side was mulling over a joint venture with Kazakhstan to produce tantalum.
The cost of the project to create a JV for feedstock supply to Ulba Metallurgical Plant is about $100 million.
The final decision about this project will be made this year, said Shkolnik.
Kazatomprom is Kazakhstan's national operator of for the export of uranium and its compounds, rare metals, nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants, special equipment, technologies and double-use materials. The main activities of the company are: geological exploration, uranium production, manufacture of nuclear fuel cycle products, reactor construction, nuclear power plants, non-ferrous metallurgy and production of construction materials, electric energy sector, science, social welfare and staff training. Kazatomprom is among leading uranium production companies of the world.