Buryatia may become center of Russia’s uranium mining industry

Priargunsky Industrial Mining and Chemical Union announced the resumption of uranium production at two of its mines in 2015. OAO Hiagda announced the start of preparations for the development of the Istochnoye and Vershinnoye natural uranium deposits at the Hiagda ore field in Buryatia, Russian media reported, BelTA has learned.

It is expected that this ore field can become the center of the uranium mining industry in Russia. The Istochnoye deposit is estimated to hold 2,055 tonnes of uranium. The production is scheduled to start in 2016. The first uranium from the Vershinnoye deposit estimated at almost 4,600 tonnes will be mined in 2017.

In 2014 the uranium production by the Russian enterprises that make part of Rosatom’s uranium holding company Atomredmetzoloto made up about 3,000 tonnes. Priargunsky Industrial Mining and Chemical Union produced 1,970 tonnes, OAO Dalur 578 tonnes, and OAO Hiagda 442 tonnes.

The current mineral reserves of the Russian nuclear industry are sufficient to ensure uninterrupted supply of uranium for 60 years ahead. In general, Rosatom has enough uranium to support its projects for the next 100 years, the Russian media report.