Kazakhstan To Become World's Largest Uranium Producer

July 23, 2008 10:15 p.m. EST

Astana, Kazakhstan (AHN) - In a bid to boost uranium production, Kazakhstan will begin producing 12,826 metric tons of the radioactive metal next year, threatening to surpass Canada and Australia as the world's biggest uranium miner.

Currently the world's third largest uranium miner, Kazakhstan will be the world's No.1 uranium producer by 2009 if the country's plan pushes through.

Bloomberg reported that state-run Kazatomprom is planning to produce more than 9,000 tons of uranium in Kazakhstan this year and increase to a whooping 12,826 tons next year.

The Central Asian state will use its uranium reserves to participate in all stages of the production cycle - from mining to power generation.