Deposits of uranium have been unearthed in Zimbabwe, the countrys President Robert Mugabe has said, according to BBC Online Sunday.
Mr Mugabe said Zimbabwe would use the uranium to boost its energy supplies, but would not pursue nuclear weapons.
Zimbabwe has a chronic energy shortage, blamed on a lack of foreign currency for spare parts, and imports power from several neighbouring countries.
It also has close ties with Iran and North Korea, two states in the spotlight for their nuclear policies.
Zimbabwe state television carried reports of Mr Mugabes comments, without giving details of where any uranium has been discovered.
There have been no previous reports of uranium deposits existing in the country.
Zimbabwe has two main power stations – one thermal and one hydro-electric, but has failed to produce enough domestic power in recent years.
It imports electricity from Mozambique, DR Congo and South Africa to meet its needs, BBC adds.
