As the world's largest producer of uranium gears up for a referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, national policymakers and stakeholders have shared Kazakhstan's vision for a civilian nuclear programme at the World Nuclear Spotlight Kazakhstan event in Almaty.

Russia's Rosatom has signed agreements relating to developing nuclear medicine centres in Nicaragua and Kazakhstan, and also a memorandum of understanding with Burkina Faso which includes potential nuclear energy projects.

Kazatomprom is "fully capable" of maintaining its position as a reliable supplier of natural uranium, with an action plan that enables it to react to evolving geopolitical events, the company said in its yearly financial results statement.

The Canadian company said it is strategically positioned to increase tier-one production and plans to begin work to extend the life of the Cigar Lake mine to 2036 as well as looking into expanding production capacity at McArthur River/Key Lake.

The Kazakh national atomic company said it expects to see a "modest" growth in 2024 production despite adjustments to its previously announced production plans related to the availability of sulphuric acid and construction delays at newly developed deposits.

The Kazakh national atomic company expects to adjust its 2024 production guidance due to factors including the availability of sulphuric acid and delays in completing construction works at newly developed deposits, although it remains committed to its delivery obligations for the year.

Technology holder Framatome has confirmed Kazatomprom has completed the qualification process for the production of AFA 3G type A fuel assemblies at the Ulba-FA LLP plant, which produces nuclear fuel for Chinese nuclear power plants. Production of type A assemblies is expected to begin this year.

Kazakhstan’s Kazatomprom has signed its first commercial uranium fuel supply contract with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, for the United Arab Emirates' Barakah nuclear power plant.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has concluded a five-day Site and External Events Design mission to Kazakhstan to review the country's process for selecting the site of a planned nuclear power plant.

Sanctions on the transport of products through Russian territory have not restricted Kazatomprom's activities, the company said in its quarterly update, and production remains in line with plans. Separately, Kazatomprom's shareholders have approved a major sale of natural uranium concentrates to China's State Nuclear Uranium Resource Development Company.

France and Kazakhstan have pledged cooperation on minerals and the nuclear fuel cycle, while in Uzbekistan there was agreement to raise the level of bilateral relations, during official visits by President Emmanuel Macron this week. The French president was accompanied by a large delegation including representatives from French industry.

The board of the Kazakh uranium producer has approved a strategy to increase production volumes in 2025, returning to a 100% level relative to its subsoil use agreements for the first time since 2018 and adding up to 6,000 tU to anticipated global primary supply.