Orano and Navoiyuran sign agreement to boost uranium production in Uzbekistan

The agreement was signed on March 12 during the Uzbek-French business forum, which is being held as part of Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Paris.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Yuzhny Dzhengeldy project will be integrated into the existing production facilities of Navoiyuran, which will serve as its operator.

The agreement also marks the inclusion of a new partner in the project — Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation, which is acquiring a minority stake in the joint venture.

"This new partnership strengthens recent achievements within the joint venture and reflects the commitment of all parties to continue developing the Yuzhny Dzhengeldy uranium mining project. Based on the confirmed resources to date, the project is expected to support uranium extraction for more than 10 years, reaching a peak production level of 700 metric tons of uranium per year," the statement reads.

The project is part of a broader collaboration with Navoiyuran, outlined in the strategic framework agreement signed by Orano and the Uzbek government in 2022.

As part of the agreement, the partners will also launch a geological exploration program aimed at at least doubling the mineral resources of the joint venture.

"This project contributes to diversifying the group’s mining sources. This new stage has been made possible by the work carried out over the past five years in Uzbekistan. Orano is committed to bringing its geological and technical expertise to further develop the project, thereby supporting the company's expansion," said Xavier Saint-Martin-Tillet, Senior Executive Vice President for Mining at Orano.

It is worth noting that Navoiyuran is the fifth-largest uranium producer in the world and plays a key role in ensuring sustainable and responsible nuclear fuel supplies. Specializing in the extraction and processing of natural uranium into uranium oxide, the company meets global demand for clean energy through export shipments. It also operates modern production facilities and employs in-situ leaching technology, which enhances extraction efficiency while reducing environmental impact.

ITOCHU is a leading Japanese trading house engaged in import-export operations and investments in various sectors, including textiles, machinery, metals, minerals, energy, chemicals, food, real estate, information technology, and finance, both in Japan and abroad.