Orano secures 700-ton uranium deal in Uzbekistan

Orano, a French nuclear fuel company, and Navoiyuran, Uzbekistan’s state-owned uranium mining enterprise, have signed an agreement to advance the industrial development of the South Djengeldi uranium deposit, Orano announced in a statement. Under the deal, uranium production is expected to ramp up to 700 tons per year within the next decade.

«Orano and Navoiyuran announce an agreement laying the foundations for the industrial development of the South Djengeldi uranium mining project of their joint venture Nurlikum Mining,» the company said in its statement.

Under the agreement, the South Djengeldi project will be integrated into Navoiyuran’s existing industrial base, with Navoiyuran serving as the project operator. Additionally, Japanese conglomerate ITOCHU Corporation has joined the venture, acquiring a minority stake. However, the specific ownership distribution among partners was not disclosed.

According to Orano, the new partnership underscores the commitment of all parties to the long-term development of the South Djengeldi mining project. The company stated that based on currently certified resources, the site is expected to sustain stable uranium production for at least 10 years, peaking at 700 tons annually.

The South Djengeldi project is part of a broader cooperation program between Orano and Navoiyuran, outlined in a 2022 strategic framework agreement between Orano and Uzbekistan. As part of this collaboration, the partners plan to launch an exploration program to double the joint venture’s mineral resources.

Xavier Saint Martin Tillet, Orano’s senior executive vice president for mining, said the project will contribute to diversifying the group’s raw material sources. He added that Orano will leverage its geological and technical expertise to further develop the site.

Navoiyuran, the world’s fifth-largest uranium producer, specializes in mining and processing natural uranium into uranium oxide, supporting global demand for clean energy through exports.

Meanwhile, KATCO, a joint venture between Orano Mining (formerly Areva Mines) and Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan’s national uranium company, has announced plans to launch a uranium processing facility at the Moiynkum deposit in mid-2025. The facility, located in the Sozak district of the Turkestan region, will process 2,045 tons of uranium in commercial desorbate, ensuring the joint venture’s total annual production of up to 4,000 tons.

In December 2024, KATCO announced plans to expand the process pipeline system at the Moiynkum deposit to support stable uranium production volumes. Notably, between January and September 2024, Kazatomprom nearly doubled its uranium sales to France, reaching approximately $230 million, up from $114 million during the same period in 2023. However, the company’s overall consolidated revenue saw a more modest increase, rising to approximately $2.3 billion from $1.9 billion a year earlier.