ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN SPECIALISTS TO IMPLEMENT WORK ON GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF URANIUM MINES IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Apr 23 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, NOYAN TAPAN. On April 23 the RA Ministry of Nature
Protection and the RF Atomic Energy Agency signed a cooperation
memorandum on prospecting, exploration and operation of uranium mines
in Armenia. The memorandum was signed by the RA Minister of Nature
Protection Vardan Aivazian and the Head of the Russian Atomic Energy
Agency Sergei Kirienko.

V. Aivazian said that in 2000, the governments of the two countries
signed the agreement on cooperation in the use of atomic energy for
peaceful purposes. In early 2007, the Russian side presented a draft
joint action plan on exploration and operation of uranium mines.

According to the minister, an Armenian-Russian joint venture will
be set up for geological exploration of uranium mines and their
preliminary industrial assessment, with Geoeconomica state CJSC
representing the Armenian side.

Unranium mine exploration will mainly be done in Syunik marz.

S. Kirienko said that geological surveys in the Soviet time showed
that Armenia has uranium resources of at least 30 thousand tons. In
his words, the real resorces may be 2-3 times as much, which will
allow Armenia to export uranium. He noted that uranium is the only
power-bearing substance whose price has increased 10fold in recent
years. According to S. Kirienko, Russian geologists will come
to Armenia in a few weeks. The preparatory work related to mine
exploration is envisaged to be completed by late 2007.

V. Aivazian said that no uranium enrichment will be done in Armenia. A
"political agreement" has been reached with Russia, according to which
Armenia will participate in the creation of the newly-established
International Atomic Center where uranium enrichment will be carried
out.