US-based start-up NANO Nuclear Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Argentina’s Dioxitek SA – a nuclear fuel cycle and uranium dioxide production company, and Argentina’s only feedstock manufacturer for nuclear fuel fabrication.
The MOU establishes a non-binding framework through which NANO Nuclear and Dioxitek will evaluate and assess the current capacities of uranium conversion to enrichment feedstock and its supporting infrastructure in Argentina. Based on the results, NANO Nuclear and Dioxitek will investigate the feasibility of further collaboration by developing an enrichment production line in Dioxitek’s existing facility.
NANO noted: “With its strategic uranium reserves, Argentina has a key opportunity to address the global UF6 shortage by developing domestic conversion capabilities, and in turn reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.”
In July, NANO also signed a MOU with Argentina-based UrAmerica, a private exploration company with uranium and other critical metals licences primarily in Argentina’s Chubut Province. The MOU formalises discussions that NANO initiated with UrAmerica to explore strategic development across Argentina’s uranium-fuel supply chain. The government of Argentina is considering privatising the nuclear energy sector. NANO Nuclear and UrAmerica aim to build the mining and milling capacities of the uranium supply chain in Argentina with a view to uranium fuel cycle exports into the US.
NANO says the MOU with Dioxitek builds on its recently established presence in Argentina, “aligning with the country’s ongoing regulatory changes across key sectors of the nuclear supply chain”.
Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear, said: “Collaborating with Argentina’s Dioxitek marks a significant milestone for NANO Nuclear in South America and gives us access to real-world data with the potential to impact not only Argentina but the global nuclear fuel supply chain. Argentina’s significant policy changes have created new opportunities for collaboration, enabling NANO Nuclear to actively contribute to the advancement of Argentina’s expanding nuclear infrastructure and fuel cycle capabilities.”
