Iran discovers new deposits of uranium ore

TEHRAN,Feb.24(MNA) – The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has announced that it has discovered new deposits of uranium ore to feed the country’s nuclear program and that 16 sites have been selected for the construction of new nuclear power stations. After months of efforts, the AEOI has identified 16 new sites for nuclear power stations in coastal areas of the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, the Caspian Sea, and Khuzestan province, the AEOI said in a statement issued on Saturday. The projects are in line with Iran’s long-term plans to generate electricity via nuclear power plants in accordance with international standards and regulations, the statement added. The population, seismology, and accessibility of the areas were some of the factors taken into account in selecting the sites, the AEOI said. According to the AEOI statement, the new discoveries of uranium ore over the past 18 months will put reserves at 4,400 tons compared to 1,527 tons three decades ago.