"During this past year as Kazatomprom's CEO, Mr Sharipov's nuclear fuel cycle expertise has been instrumental in the successful commissioning and launch of commercial production at the Ulba Fuel Assembly plant, Kazatomprom's new facility to supply fuel assemblies to China," chair of Kazatomprom's board of directors Neil Longfellow said.

"Along with prioritizing employee safety and social stability across all of the company's operations, which was particularly vital during the tragic unrest in January this year, Mr Sharipov effectively led the company through its post-pandemic recovery and the ongoing geopolitical risks and uncertainties," he said.

Protests in Kazakhstan over rising fuel prices led to widespread political unrest and the declaration of a state of emergency earlier in the year.

Sharipov said he believes nuclear has a "great future" and that Kazatomprom, which claims the title of the world's largest producer of uranium, will "continue to thrive".

The company was responsible for about 24% of global primary uranium production in 2021, Kazatomprom said.

Kazatomprom's chief operating officer Yerzhan Mukanov has been appointed acting CEO while the board completes a recruitment process.