Kazakhstan completed conversion of VVR-K reactor

Kazakhstan and the United States announced in a joint statement that Kazakhstan successfully completed conversion of the VVR-K research reactor, operated by the Institute of Nuclear Physics, in Alatau, near Almaty. The HEU associated with the reactor has been eliminated by down-blending "at Kazakhstan's nuclear fuel factory" (apparently the Ulba Metallurgical Plant in Oskemen, formerly Ust-Kamenogorsk). According to the statement, Kazakhstan made a commitment to remove all spent HEU fuel from the site. Some spent fuel of the VVR-K reactor was transferred to Russia in January 2016.

Kazakhstan also confirmed its commitment to convert the IVG.1M and IGR reactors to LEU as soon as suitable fuel is available. IPFM reported earlier that the work on conversion of the IVG reactor is underway.

UPDATE: According to Rosatom the VVR-K reactor reached full power on LEU fuel on May 24, 2016.

UPDATE: According to the Institute of Nuclear Physics, the last HEU fuel was discharged from the reactor in August 2015.