ALGIERS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab said Algeria is planning to build a nuclear power plant to take advantage of the immense uranium assets in his country, local radio channel 1 reported Monday.
"Algeria's uranium reserves are around 26,000 tons," Arkab was quoted as saying during his visit to the Nuclear Research Center in the capital Algiers.
"The government mulls developing the level of its capacity ahead of building the first power-generating nuclear plant," he added.
With four nuclear research centers for peaceful purposes , Algeria also considers investing its 26,000 tons of uranium reserves in the health and pharmaceutical sectors, the Algerian minister noted.
Algeria generates the majority of its power needs from its huge natural gas reserves which amount to 144 billion cubic meters, according to Arkab.
