ASTANA, May 3 (RIA Novosti) - Kazakhstan ranked world's 3rd for uranium extraction last year, reports the press service of the Kazatomprom national nuclear industrial company.
Canada led the world, with 29.2 per cent of global extraction, Australia coming second, with 22.6 per cent, and Kazakhstan following with 9.4 per cent, company PR said to Novosti with reference to the Ux Weekly, authoritative US-based periodical specializing in the nuclear fuel cycle.
Kazakhstan extracted a lump 3,719 tons of uranium last year, as against 3,346 tons for 2003. The Kazatomprom accounted for 3,363 tons out of the total for 2004.
The company intends to spectacularly increase uranium extraction, and hit a 15,000-ton mark by 2010, to make its country world leader.
With all shares government-held, the Kazatomprom is Kazakhstan's sole uranium export/import dealer.
