KazAtomProm has announced plans to build its own sulfuric acid plant - shortly after admitting supply problems. The non-reusable substance is the main chemical reagent used in the in-situ leaching process of uranium mining and a recent fire at a supplier led to supply rationing in Kazakhstan. KazAtomProm's new acid plant, near the Kharasan mine, should support the western mining group from 2010 with enough sulfuric acid to produce 5000 tonnes of uranium per year. It will burn 170,000 tonnes of solid sulfur per year which will come from oil and gas production carried out by Tengizhevroil. Separately, a 1.2 million tonne per year plant is already planned at the Kazakhmys copper smelter in Balkhash which should operate from May 2008 to alleviate the current shortage.
Further information
KazAtomProm
WNA's Uranium and Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan information paper
WNN: Acid shortage delays Kazakh expansion
KazAtomProm responds to acid shortage
KazAtomProm has announced plans to buildits own sulfuric acid plant - shortly after admitting supply problems.The non-reusable substance is the main chemical reagent used in thein-situ leaching process of uranium mining and a recent fire at asupplier led to supply rationing in Kazakhstan. KazAtomProm's new acid plant, near theKharasan mine, should support the western mining group from 2010 withenough sulfuric acid to produce 5000 tonnes of uranium per year. Itwill burn 170,000 tonnes of solid sulfur per year which will come fromoil and gas production carried out by Tengizhevroil. Separately, a 1.2million tonne per year plant is already planned at the Kazakhmys coppersmelter in Balkhash which should operate from May 2008 to alleviate thecurrent shortage.
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