DUSHANBE, July 11, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- China’s Guangdong Corporation is interested in participation in development of uranium deposits in Tajikistan, but Tajikistan’s legislation allows only domestic companies to explore and develop the uranium deposits, Rahmonbeg Bakhtdavlatov, the first deputy head of the Main Geology Directorate, announced at a pres conference in Dushanbe on July 11.  

According to him, senior representatives of the Guangdong Corporation have offered the government to initiate making changes to the appropriate law that would give foreign companies an opportunity to develop Tajik uranium.

On the reserves of uranium deposits in Tajikistan, Mr. Bakhtdavlatov noted that data that Tajikistan allegedly accounts for 14 percent of world’s uranium reserves requires additional study.  “For example, uranium reserves in northern Tajikistan have practically been exhausted,” he said.

He further added that Chineses may start exploration and development of the uranium reserves only if Tajik parliament lifts restrictions on foreign companies to have access to exploration and development of the Tajik uranium.