Argentina to join small group of uranium-enriching countries

Buenos Aires: Argentina`s President Cristina Kirchner rededicated a uranium enrichment plant in southern province of Rio Negro, saying that next year Argentina would join the group of 10 countries producing the fuel for peaceful use.

"In November 11, a first sample of enriched uranium will be obtained, at which point, Argentina will join the group of 10 countries producing enriched uranium" for peaceful ends, Kirchner said.

The same plant was used to produce enriched uranium from 1982 to 1983 but then closed because of lower international prices, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 and unfavourable public opinion, officials said.

Bureau Report