The Sverdlovsk region and TVEL, Russia’s nuclear fuel corporation have signed an agreement intended to bring the Malyshevo uranium mines, which produce uranium concentrate and rare earth materials, out of crisis. The agreement, on mutual action to rejuvenate and stabilise the mining enterprise up to 2005, involves optimising existing capacity and bolstering its scientific and technical potential in line with recommendations on raw materials security by the atomic energy ministry, TVEL and the Russian Security Council.