Kazakhstan Uranium reserves to last another 60 years

Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Agency for Nuclear Energy Gumar Sergazin has said that Kazakhstan stands out on the global uranium market, with reserves reported to last for another 60 years.

The country has accumulated around one million tonnes of natural uranium. Moreover, there remain unexplored territories with Kazakhstan holding approximately 14% of the world’s uranium reserves and supplying around 40% of global production.

Last year alone, the country produced more than 23,000 tonnes of uranium, with production expected to rise to 25,000–26,500 tonnes in 2025.

At the same time, Kazakhstan is negotiating uranium supplies with Finland for two nuclear power plants currently under construction.

Once an agreement is reached, nuclear fuel will be shipped to the country. The United States currently receives roughly a quarter of its uranium imports from Kazakhstan, and is prepared to expand its supplies.

In view of the anticipated global uranium shortage by 2030, Kazakhstan has the potential to become a key player, effectively replacing Russian uranium and strengthening its influence in the global market.

Beyond its production scale, Kazakhstan has a technological advantage, with a significant portion of its uranium deposits developed through in-situ leaching, a method that reduces production costs and minimises environmental impact. This allows the country to remain competitive and offer the market high-quality raw material under attractive conditions.

However, Kazakhstan’s success depends on a combination of political and commercial factors. Uranium exports require careful logistics, secure supply chains, and adherence to international standards.

The Central Asian country is also working to reduce reliance on transit through Russia by developing alternative routes to reach western markets.

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