A $3.27-billion friendly takeover deal between UrAsia Energy and SXR Uranium One Inc. came under intense scrutiny at a conference call Monday, as executives fielded many questions about the risks involved with UrAsia's mine in Kazakhstan.

The terms of the deal will create a major global uranium player named Uranium One Inc., trailing only behind Saskatchewan's Cameco Corp. It will have a combined market capitalization of about $5.87 billion. During a Monday conference call, SXR Uranium One and UrAsia executives addressed many concerns about the stability of UrAsia's Kazakhstan operations.

UrAsia operates three mines in the former Soviet-bloc country, including Akdala, already in production, and two others - South Inkai and Kharassan - expected to begin production this year.