Orano and Navoiyuran set the stage for a long-term cooperation in Uzbekistan

A meeting between representatives of Orano and Navoiyuran State Company, the world's fifth largest uranium producer, took place in early July in Uzbekistan. The Orano delegation, after meeting Navoiyuran management, visited several of its mining sites and industrial facilities.

This visit is organized in pursuit of cooperation opportunities between the two recognized companies in the field of uranium production, focusing in particular on technologies for the prospection of new deposits and on the efficiency of mining operations.

Orano has been present in Uzbekistan since 2019, when the group signed a partnership agreement with the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Geology and Mineral Resources (Goscomgeology), to develop exploration and mining operations in Uzbekistan in the Djengeldi area. This partnership materialized in 2019 with the creation of a joint venture (JV) called Nurlikum Mining. The JV, which now has approximately 50 employees, is preparing to launch an ISR* pilot in the coming months to confirm the economic and environmental feasibility of uranium mining in its license area.

The Republic of Uzbekistan has recently set ambitious goals to increase its uranium production as well as its resources and reserves by 2030.

For Nicolas Maes, CEO of Orano Mining, "Orano Mining has recognized expertise across the entire mining cycle, from exploration to remediation, and operates according to demanding international standards in terms of safety, health and environment. We are convinced the mining sector will progress through joint work and the exchange of good practices between miners. Our discussions with the representatives of Navoiyuran were very comprehensive and constructive and we agreed to establish together a broader future collaboration for the long term".

*ISR: the principle of in-situ recovery consists in injecting a leaching solution into the deposit via wells. The solution dissolves the uranium as it passes through the deposit and is then pumped to the surface. The uranium is then extracted from the solution using ion-exchange resins.