Kazakhstan plans a 100-year strategic uranium reserve
Kazakhstan has been the world's largest uranium producer since 2009 and accounted for around 40% of global uranium production in 2025. Now the country is considering the creation of a state strategic uranium reserve capable of supplying its future nuclear power plants for more than 100 years, according to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The proposal forms part of the country's broader strategy to support a growing nuclear energy programme.
Planning in advance
In a recent address to the nation, Tokayev said Kazakhstan must begin planning now to ensure long-term uranium supplies for the nuclear power plants it intends to build following the approval of nuclear energy in a 2024 national referendum. He described the creation of a strategic uranium reserve for the next century as a reasonable initiative that should be further developed.
Kazakhstan must begin planning the long-term uranium supplies for future nuclear power plants, says President Tokayev
Large capacity and multi-level
The plans were discussed during a briefing between the president and Kazatomprom Chairman Meirzhan Yusupov. According to the presidential press service, the company is carrying out geological exploration work in six areas covering more than 1,000 square kilometres and is also evaluating the Kyzyltu area as part of efforts to support the future reserve.
Kazakhstan's Atomic Energy Agency has indicated that the national strategy envisages reserving at least 150,000 tonnes of uranium by 2050. Agency chairman Almassadam Satkaliyev said the reserve would be developed as a multi-level system covering the entire nuclear fuel cycle, from reserving uranium deposits in the ground to maintaining stocks of natural uranium and fabricated nuclear fuel.
The reserve would be a multi-level system covering the entire nuclear fuel cycle and would store at least 150,000 tonnes of uranium by 2050
Three nuclear power plants in the future of Kazakhstan
The initiative comes as Kazakhstan advances its nuclear new-build programme. Construction of the country's first nuclear power plant, the two-unit Balkhash project, is expected to begin in 2027, with the first unit targeted for operation in 2034. The government has also identified a second project to be built by China National Nuclear Corporation and is assessing potential sites for a third nuclear power plant.
Kazakhstan is currently building its first nuclear power plant and has plans for two more
Source: World Nuclear News
