Center for Strategic and International Studies | Kazakhstan’s Emerging Civilian Nuclear Energy Industry: Implications for U.S. Strategic Interests

Nuclear 3

1. Kazakhstan holds what share of the world’s uranium reserves?
A. 5%
B. 14%
C. 25%
D. 40%

B

2. What percentage of global unenriched uranium does Kazakhstan produce?
A. 20%
B. 30%
C. 40%+
D. 60%

C (over 40%)

3. Which entity controls all uranium-related activity in Kazakhstan?
A. Rosatom
B. CNNC
C. Kazatomprom
D. Cameco

C

4. Kazakhstan cannot fully develop nuclear energy because it lacks what key capability?
A. Uranium mining
B. Uranium enrichment
C. Reactor construction
D. Waste disposal

B

5. Kazakhstan imports most enriched uranium from:
A. Canada
B. France
C. China
D. Russia

D (then China)

6. Kazakhstan has tried to rebalance its foreign relations after which event?
A. Annexation of Crimea (2014)
B. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (2022)
C. Withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021)
D. Brexit

B

7. Rosatom sold major stakes in Zarechnoye and Khorasan-U mines; the ultimate beneficiary was:
A. France (Orano)
B. Cameco
C. General Nuclear Power Corporation (China)
D. U.S. Department of Energy

C

8. Kazakhstan’s 2024 referendum on civilian nuclear programs recorded what result?
A. 51% in favor
B. 60% in favor
C. 71% in favor
D. 90% in favor

C

9. Which countries’ companies were shortlisted for the NPP (nuclear power plant) projects?
A. Russia, China, U.S., Japan
B. Russia, China, France, South Korea
C. Russia, U.S., Germany, U.K.
D. China, India, Pakistan, Iran

B

10. Which company won the most NPP bids?
A. Rosatom
B. CNNC
C. Orano
D. Cameco

B (two projects for CNNC, one for Rosatom)

1. Why is Kazakhstan forced to export its uranium abroad before it can be used in nuclear reactors?

Kazakhstan lacks uranium enrichment capability, so it must send unenriched uranium to foreign facilities—primarily in Russia, China, France, and Canada—for enrichment.

2. What geopolitical goal does President Tokayev emphasize for Kazakhstan?

Tokayev wants Kazakhstan to act as a “middle power” that builds bridges between rival geopolitical blocs and reduces overreliance on any single great power—especially Russia.

3. How did sanctions on Russia indirectly strengthen China’s role in Kazakhstan’s uranium sector?

Sanctions made Rosatom a risky partner for Western buyers, leading Rosatom’s Uranium One to sell stakes in Kazakh mines. These stakes ultimately went to China’s General Nuclear Power Corporation, expanding Chinese influence.

4. Why was Rosatom’s NPP proposal initially attractive to Kazakhstan?

Rosatom offers favorable financing ($10–25 billion loans at 3–4%), and Kazakhstan already has access to enrichment capacity through the International Uranium Enrichment Center in Angarsk.

5. Why were France and South Korea less competitive in the NPP bidding?

France’s reactors were almost twice as expensive to construct, and South Korea is limited by a 1973 U.S.-Korea agreement preventing domestic enrichment and conversion.

6. Why is Kazakhstan interested in expanding civilian nuclear energy?

To meet growing domestic energy demand, diversify away from dependence on Russian hydrocarbons, and grow a strategic industry that strengthens geopolitical autonomy.

7. What does Kazakhstan’s NPP selection (Rosatom + two CNNC projects) indicate strategically?

It suggests Kazakhstan is trying to diversify suppliers—keeping Russia involved but heavily expanding Chinese partnerships—to avoid dependence on a single power.

1. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest producer of enriched uranium.

False — it is the largest producer of unenriched uranium.

2. Kazatomprom owns or co-owns all uranium mining in Kazakhstan.

True.

3. China has become Kazakhstan’s largest single-country economic partner.

True.

4. The sale of Uranium One’s mining stakes reduced Chinese influence in Kazakhstan.

False — it increased China’s influence.

5. Kazakhstan’s NPP bids all went to Russian companies.

False — one to Rosatom, two to CNNC.

6. A majority of Kazakh citizens voted against peaceful nuclear programs in the 2024 referendum.

False — 71% voted in favor.

7. Kazakhstan relies heavily on Russia for oil exports, giving Moscow leverage.

True.

8. South Korea was disqualified from the bidding due to safety concerns.

False — the issue was legal limits on enrichment and high costs.

9. Kazakhstan’s move toward nuclear energy is partly about reducing Russian dependence.

True.

10. Western nations currently have strong involvement in Kazakhstan’s growing civilian nuclear energy sector.

False — Russian and Chinese state-owned firms dominate.