Interfax reported that Kazakhstan's national nuclear power company, Kazatomprom, and China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group have set up a uranium mining joint venture in Kazakhstan.

Mr Mukhtar Dzhakishev president of Kazatomprom's said "The joint venture has already been established and will operate two deposits in the Irkol and Semizbai regions of Kazakhstan. He said that production at the Irkol field has already begun, though the official launch of the mine is slated for spring 2009. Last year output at the field reached 300 tonnes.”

He added that operations at the Semizbai field are scheduled to kick off at the end of 2009.

Mr Dzhakishev said Kazatomprom may begin supplying uranium to India this year, once a cooperation agreement for the peaceful use of nuclear energy is signed, which he expects within the month. He said that "Kazakhstan and India both see the future benefits from the agreement and there are no apparent obstacles to the agreement being signed."

Kazatomprom and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding in Delhi during a visit by the Kazakh President.