Argentina’s efforts to bolster its nuclear-energy program are stirring concern within the country as well as in neighboring Paraguay. At issue are plans to close a uranium-dioxide plant in the central province of Córdoba and build another in the northern province of Formosa, near Paraguay. Uranium dioxide is used as fuel in light-water reactors. Authorities appear eager to preserve domestic capacity to produce the fuel, though Argentina has been importing the uranium that goes into it since closing down its Sierra Pintada mine in Mendoza two decades ago. The plans for a new uranium-dioxide plant come as Argentina is pressing to expand its atomic-energy capacity. Two nuclear plants are in full operation here, with a third now coming on line... [Log in to read more]