Mongolia, Japan to cooperate in nuclear energy

Mongolia's nuclear energy authority and Japan's Atomic Energy Agency discussed nonproliferation and other issues during a two-day meeting that ended Wednesday. More than 40 specialists from Mongolia, Japan and representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency attended the meeting. Ts. Damdinsuren, a senior Mongolian nuclear official, said Ulan Bator has not changed its atomic plans despite the severe nuclear accident that occurred in Japan's Fukushima Daichi plant after the March earthquake and tsunami. He said Mongolia has rich coal reserves, but using nuclear energy is favorable because fossil fuel could harm human health and the environment. Mongolia has plans to begin construction of a nuclear plant next year that is expected to be operational in 2017, he added. A senior Japanese nuclear engineer said Japan would be glad to provide technology and safety control support for Mongolia's peaceful use of nuclear energy. Mongolia has rich uranium resources with 60,000 verified tons.