Orano, the French nuclear fuels company, has joined forces with Uzbekistan’s state-run Navoiyuran to officially launch the development of the South Djengeldi uranium mining project. This partnership will be executed through Nurlikum Mining, a joint venture (JV) between the two companies.
Under the terms of the agreement, Navoiyuran will take the lead as the operator of the project, with the development being integrated into the company’s existing industrial infrastructure.
In addition to this, Itochu, a Japanese multinational, has come on board as a minority shareholder in the Nurlikum Mining JV.
The South Djengeldi project is expected to produce uranium for over a decade, with a peak annual output capacity of 700 tonnes. This project is part of a broader collaboration between Orano and Navoiyuran, which began with a strategic framework agreement signed in 2022. The agreement outlines the development of new uranium mines in Uzbekistan, as well as the exploration of additional resources.
A key goal of this alliance is to double the mineral resources of the JV through extensive exploration.
Xavier Saint Martin Tillet, senior executive vice-president of Orano, shared his thoughts: “This project is an important step in diversifying our production sources. It marks the culmination of five years of work in Uzbekistan, and Orano’s expertise in geology and technical development will continue to support the project’s growth.”
The Djengeldi region, located in the Kyzylkum desert, is known for its significant uranium deposits and has been a mining site for many years. In September 2020, Nurlikum Mining secured exploration permits for the North and South Djengeldi zones, with 12,500 tonnes of resources already registered by the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology.
Looking ahead, Navoiyuran plans to develop four more mines between 2022 and 2026, further solidifying its role in Uzbekistan’s uranium industry.
Additionally, in January 2025, Orano reached an agreement with the Government of Mongolia to invest in a $1.6 billion uranium project in Dornogovi, another strategic move for the company’s growth in the global uranium market.