- Business
- JSC National Atomic Company Kazatomprom (Ticker: KAP.IL) serves as Kazakhstan's national operator for the import and export of uranium, rare metals, nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants, special equipment, and related technologies; it ranks as the world's largest producer of natural uranium, accounting for approximately 21% of global primary supply through in-situ recovery (ISR) mining across 27 deposits grouped into 14 assets, all located in Kazakhstan. The company explores for, produces, processes, markets, and sells uranium and uranium-related products, including U3O8 concentrates; it also engages in the front-end nuclear fuel cycle, encompassing uranium dioxide (UO2) ceramic powder production, fuel pellets, and fuel assemblies via its Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP) and Ulba-FA LLP joint venture with China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGNPC); additionally, UMP processes rare metals and manufactures beryllium, tantalum, and niobium products, positioning Kazatomprom among the global leaders in these materials. Operations span mining subsidiaries and joint ventures such as JV Inkai LLP (60% owned with Cameco), JV KATCO LLP (49% with Orano), JV Budenovskoye LLP (51% controlled since January 2024 with Uranium One), Ortalyk LLP, Baiken-U LLP (with CGN), and others like Karatau LLP, Semizbai-U LLP, and Sauran LLP; sales occur under long-term, short-term, and spot contracts to nuclear operators in China, South and East Asia (43%), Europe (33%), North America (24%), and other regions, with exports routed via Trans-Caspian and traditional paths. Founded in 1997 by decree of President Nursultan Nazarbayev and headquartered in Astana, Kazakhstan, the company is majority-owned (75%) by Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund, with 25% free float following its 2018 IPO on the London Stock Exchange and Astana International Exchange. Recent developments include approval of an updated Development Strategy for 2025-2034 emphasizing "Value over Volume," resource replenishment, nuclear fuel cycle expansion, rare earth metals growth, sales diversification, and ESG enhancement; acquisition of control over JV Budenovskoye LLP in January 2024 boosting consolidation; a new supply agreement with Czech utility ČEZ, a.s. in 2024 to diversify European sales; long-term uranium contracts extended with CNNC Overseas and China National Uranium Corporation approved in October 2025; plans announced in September 2025 to triple exploration efforts abroad via agreements with Jordan and Mongolia; resumption of JV Inkai operations post-temporary suspension in early 2025; record 2024 financials with revenue up 26% to KZT 1.813 trillion and adjusted net profit up 38% to KZT 577 billion (attributable), alongside 2025 production guidance of 25,000-26,500 tU (100% basis) and sales of 17,500-18,500 tU.