New Uranium Mining Projects - Uzbekistan 
(last updated 10 Sep 2024)
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In Uzbekistan, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
Areva,
Navoi Mining and Milling Complex,
Uran Ltd 
,
Korea Resources Corporation ,
Mitsui & Co, Ltd. (planned)
Uzbekistan signs agreement on uranium cooperation with China National Uranium Corporation
A delegation from Uzbekistan's Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology, led by Deputy Minister Jamal Faizullaev, Director General of Navoiuran AC, has returned from China with significant developments in bilateral uranium cooperation.
The trip concluded with the signing of a trilateral agreement between Uzbekistan's Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology, Navoiuran, and China National Uranium Corporation (CNUC), part of the Chinese National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). This agreement outlines plans for joint geological exploration in Uzbekistan and the creation of an innovative scientific and technological center for uranium and other mineral extractions.
(Daryo Sep. 10, 2024)
Uzbekistan seeks cooperation with China Nuclear Uranium for development of black shale uranium mines
China Nuclear Uranium Co. of the People's Republic of China. Ltd. (CNUC) company delegation made a practical visit to the state enterprise "Navoiyuran ".
The main purpose of the visit is to get familiar with and study the creation of technologies for the extraction of black shale uranium at the Jantuar and Madanli uranium mine sites owned by the Navoiyuran state enterprise.
According to the visiting program, the Chinese experts met with the General Director of the state enterprise "Navoiyuran" Dj. Fayzullayev. At the meeting, issues related to the creation of technologies for mining black shale uranium mines and prospects for future cooperation were discussed.
(Navoiyuran Mar. 11, 2024)
Orano signs agreement on development of new uranium mines in Uzbekistan
Orano Mining, the State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan (GosComGeology) and the Uzbek State-owned Enterprise Navoiuranium (Navoiuranium) signed a tripartite strategic cooperation agreement. [...]
Orano has been present in Uzbekistan since 2019, when the group initiated a partnership with GosComGeology, to develop uranium exploration and mining activities in the Djengeldi area. This partnership led in 2019 to the creation of a joint venture called Nurlikum Mining, which has today around 50 employees.
The signed agreement lays the foundations of an exclusive strategic alliance for the development of new uranium mines in Uzbekistan, beyond the Djengeldi project currently led by Nurlikum Mining.
(Orano Nov. 23, 2022)
Orano forms uranium mining joint venture with Uzbekistan
The General Meeting of founders took place on December 3, 2019 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in the presence of representatives from the State Committee on Geology and Mineral resources (GosComGeology) and Orano, formalizing therefore the creation of a joint venture.
The Uzbek-French joint venture is named "Nurlikum Mining" LLC, with 51% held by Orano and 49% held by GosComGeology. Located in Tashkent, Nurlikum Mining will operate mineral exploration and mining activities in the country, in particular in the Djengeldi areas at the heart of the uranium-rich province of Kyzylkum.
(Orano/GosComGeology Dec. 4, 2019)
Orano signs partnership agreement with Uzbekistan on uranium exploration and mining
Orano has signed a partnership agreement with the Uzbek State, represented by the State Committee for Geology and Mineral resources (GoscomGeology) to develop mining exploration and operations activities in Uzbekistan.
The two partners have decided to create a joint venture which will be established in few months, with 51% held by Orano and 49% held by GoscomGeology.
This agreement formalizes the desire of both parties to work together on Uranium mining projects in Uzbekistan, in particular in the Navoiy region in a desert area at the heart of the uranium-rich province of Kyzylkum.
The two partners plan to conduct borehole drilling works in the area to improve the classification of resources already identified by GoscomGeology and discover new Uranium resources. The first works in the field are planned to commence in the first half of 2020.
(Orano Sep. 4, 2019)
Uzbekistan offers uranium deposits to foreign investors
Currently, according to the decision of the Uzbek government, 29 deposits and 111 promising areas of solid minerals are offered to foreign investors. They include 12 deposits and 31 promising areas for precious metals (gold, silver), 18 non-ferrous metals (copper, lead and zinc), 14 deposits as well as 51 areas for rare and rare-earth metals and uranium. (AzerNews June 22, 2018)
Russia and Uzbekistan sign nuclear cooperation agreement covering uranium mining
On Dec. 29, 2017, Rosatom announced that it signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The agreement paves the way for bilateral cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan in many aspects of civil nuclear energy. The collaboration could also cover exploration and mining of Uranium, handling of uranium waste, among others.
Uzbekistan, U.S. sign contract on uranium supply
Uzbekistan signed a contract on supply of uranium to the United States. The contract is designed for 7 years and its cost exceeds $300 million.
(Trend News Agency Sep. 27, 2017)
Construction of three uranium mines to be completed by year end
Uzbekistan's Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Plant (NMMP) until the end of this year will complete construction of three uranium mines in the Central Kyzylkum Desert totaling $75 million, the plant said.
"Equipment supplies will be finished in October, all installation works will be completed in November, and the mines will be commissioned late in December," an NMMP representative said.
Completion of the Alendy, Aulbek and North Kanimekh mines will allow increasing uranium production at NMMP by 40 percent in 2015.
It was earlier reported that in 2012 and 2013, NMMP planned to invest an additional $124 million to increase its uranium production. The modernization program will increase the plant's uranium production 1.7-fold by 2014, compared to 2,270 tons in 2007.
The Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Plant includes the mining and metallurgical plant #1 in Navoi, three ore-extraction enterprises, and six mines for underground uranium leaching. The company is currently developing nine uranium deposits.
(The Times Of Central Asia Oct. 25, 2013)
Uzbekistan suspends construction of three uranium in situ leach mines
Uzbekistan's Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Plant (NMMP) has suspended the construction of three uranium mines in Central Kyzylkum Desert due to inefficiency of in situ leaching technology used by the plant, a source in the Uzbek Government said.
The source said that the use of in situ leaching technology at Meilisai, Aulbek, and Northern Maizak mines is not cost-effective due to high carbonate content in uranium ore. The source said it is necessary to develop an effective production technology, declining to say when the construction will be resumed.
(The Times Of Central Asia Aug. 9, 2013)
Japanese JOGMEC receives uranium exploration license in Navoi region
The Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) has received a five-year license for uranium exploration at two prospective areas in the country's Navoi region, a source in the Uzbek government told Azerbaijan's Trend news agency.
As reported, JOGMEC and Uzbekistan's Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combinat (NMMC) signed an agreement on the conduct of uranium exploration in the prospective areas in July.
According to the document, JOGMEC will implement geological exploration work in the Juzkuduk and Tamdiykuduk-Tulyantash prospective fields upon the terms of business risk for five years.
The minimum amount of funding for the first year of operations is $3 million.
(Azernews Aug. 8, 2013)
Japan, Uzbekistan to conduct joint uranium exploration
Japan and Uzbekistan will conduct joint uranium exploration in the Central Asian country - a move that may secure a stable supply for Japan's potential restart of nuclear reactors, industry ministry officials said Friday (July 5).
A deal will be struck Monday (July 8) between the Japanese government-run Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. and Uzbekistan's Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combinat, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry officials.
Under the deal, JOGMEC and the Uzbekistan state-run entity will conduct joint exploration for about five years and verify the amount and quality of uranium deposits in Uzbekistan.
(Japan Times July 5, 2013)
Japan's JOGMEC to sign agreement on uranium joint venture in Uzbekistan
The government of Uzbekistan and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) intend to sign a production-sharing agreement (PSA) to jointly explore and develop uranium deposits in the Central Asian republic, a source close to JOGMEC said on Tuesday (Oct. 2).
The PSA to explore and develop uranium mines in central Uzbekistan's Navoiy province may be signed in early 2013 and put into effect in the first quarter next year.
In 2009, the Uzbek Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources and JOGMEC signed an agreement on joint exploration of uranium at the promising Darvazin, Jurgantau and Northern-Tamdytau sites in the central Kyzyl-Kum region (view details).
Under the 2009 agreement, the Japanese company undertook to carry out work for one year to confirm the results of previous surveys.
"The surveys have showed the availability of uranium, production of which is considered expedient even taking into account market volatility today," the source said.
Uranium reserves discovered at the three licensed sites total about 13,000 tons, according to Uzbek government data.
(RIAN Oct. 2, 2012)
Uzbekistan, U.S. to sign agreement on uranium supply
Uzbekistan and United States will sign an agreement on supply of uranium, as reported Carolyn Lamm, chair of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (AUCC) .
(TCA Aug. 14, 2012)
Uzbek-Chinese joint venture plans to start uranium mining in Navoi region
The Uzbek-Chinese joint venture Uz-China Uran plans to start black shale uranium mining in the Navoi region, Uzbekistan by early 2013, State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources Acting Chairman Ilhom Turamuradov said on Thursday (Oct. 6).
He said the actions will be coordinated to develop technologies of separate extracting uranium and vanadium while developing black shale uranium deposits by late 2011.
"The technological tests are planned to be made in 2012," he said. "This will allow beginning the development black shale deposits in 2013."
(Trend, Oct. 6, 2011)
Uzbekistan seeks joint uranium-producing project with China
Uzbekistan plans to attract Chinese companies to uranium production projects on its territory, the Prime news agency said on Friday (Aug. 19).
The cooperation plan was approved in April. Uzbekistan's Geology and Mineral Resources Committee is currently preparing a list of possible uranium deposits.
In August 2009, China's CGNPC Uranium Resources Co and Uzbekistan's Geology and Mineral Resources Committee set up the Uz-China Uran joint venture on a parity basis, with a charter capital of $4.6 million to prospect for uranium in the Kyzyl Kum Desert.
(RIA Novosti Aug. 19, 2011)
China, Uzbekistan sign agreement on uranium cooperation
The presidents of China and Uzbekistan have signed deals to increase cooperation in areas including energy.
According to Uzbek president Islam Karimov, long-term cooperation in the field of uranium is a particular area for cooperation.
Uzbekistan's uranium mining industry dates back to the 1950s, with "explored and estimated uranium reserves" of 185,800 tonnes according to the country's State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources (Goskomgeo) in 2008. Prior to 1992, all uranium mined and milled in the country was shipped to Russia, but since 1992 all Uzbekistan's uranium production has been exported to the USA and other countries through Nukem Inc.
(World Nuclear News June 10, 2010)
Negotiations on Russia-Uzbek joint uranium mining venture have folded
A spokesman for Russia's AtomRedMetzoloto (ARMZ) has confirmed that Russia has withdrawn from negotiations on setting up a uranium mining joint venture with Uzbekistan.
A memorandum of understanding on a joint venture to mine Uzbekistan's Aktau uranium deposit was signed by the two countries in January 2006, but the parties failed to reach a suitable agreement.
(World Nuclear News June 10, 2010)
Uzbekistan plans to auction seven uranium deposits
Uzbek authorities plan to hold open auctions for the development of seven uranium deposits located in the country. Tenders will probably be ready by March 2010.
(New Europe, Sep 20, 2009)
On June 15, 2009, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) and Uzbek State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources (GOSCOMGEOLOGY) concluded an agreement on the joint exploration for uranium in Uzbekistan.
This project is based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between JOGMEC and
GOSCOMGEOLOGY on April 28, 2007.
The target area of this project is in the Navoi region and consists of three mining properties. Drilling work will begin from September 2009, spending approximately US$500,000; it is intended to compile the result of the survey by March 2010.
(JOGMEC June 16, 2009)
Uzbekistan plans to develop seven new uranium deposits to achieve 50% production increase by 2012
Uzbekistan's export operator the Navoiisky mining and smelting plant (NGMK) plans to put into operation seven new uranium deposits, the NGMK general director said on Jan. 13, 2009.
Kuvandik Sanakulov said the uranium production and enrichment monopoly was conducting geological prospecting work at five of the seven deposits.
"As part of an increase in uranium production up to 2012, the expansion and reconstruction of sulfuric production, at a cost of about $12 million, will be carried out. The implementation of the program will make it possible to increase uranium production in 2012 by 50%," Sanakulov said.
(RIA Novosti Jan. 13, 2009)
Japanese Sojitz Corp. signs accord to explore for uranium in Uzbekistan
On Oct. 9, 2008, Japanese trading house Sojitz Corp and Uzbekistan agreed to look into forming a joint venture to explore for uranium in the Central Asian country.
Sojitz was granted exclusive negotiating rights for 18 months with the government for the development of the Chetbertoye mine, about 350 kilometres west of Tashkent, the trading house said in a statement.
If a final agreement is reached, the joint venture plans to explore for underground resources after acquiring the proper license, as well export and sell to overseas electric power companies all uranium produced.
(Reuters Oct. 9, 2008)
Mitsui to conduct joint uranium exploration in Uzbekistan
Mitsui & Co Ltd announced that it has signed a protocol of intent with State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Geology and Mineral Resources with a view to investigating the possibility of establishing a joint venture to carry out geological exploration works for black shale type uranium in Uzbekistan.
Following the signing of this document, Mitsui & Co has been entitled by GOSCOMGEOLOGY the right to exclusive negotiation for 18 months. It will proceed with in depth discussions on the terms and conditions of joint exploration, establishment of a joint venture company and performance of exploration works. The subject area selected for joint study is Zapadno-Kokpatasskaya Area potential for black shale type uranium, located 300 kilometers northwest of Navoi.
(SteelGuru Aug. 8, 2008)
South Korea to purchase 2,600 tons of uranium from Uzbekistan
South Korea signed a contract on May 12, 2008, to purchase 2,600 tons of uranium worth 400 million U.S. dollars from Uzbekistan between 2010 and 2016, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.
South Korea consumes about 4,000 tons of uranium each year. It has been importing uranium mostly from Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan, the United States and France, Yonhap said.
(People's Daily May 12, 2008))
South Korea signs deal with Uzbekistan for uranium deliveries
According to official Uzbek news agency UzA, the Uzbek and South Korean prime ministers have signed an agreement to ship Uzbek uranium ore concentrate to South Korea. According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, the deal envisages that South Korea directly imports from Uzbekistan 300 tons of uranium per year between 2010 and 2014, while South Korea so far buys Uzbek uranium indirectly from U.S. companies.
(Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Sep. 25, 2006)
Japan and Uzbekistan sign agreement for development of uranium industry
Japan and Uzbekistan have signed an agreement aimed at financing the
development of the uranium industry in the central Asian country.
The agreement was signed between the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade. The Japan Atomic Industrial Forum said the agreement was aimed at "expanding support" to the Uzbek uranium industry.
(NucNet 20 Sep 2006)
Uzbekistan will start supplying low-enriched [???] uranium for Japanese power stations in 2007, according to Nikolai Kucherskii, the director of the state-owned Navoi mining complex. About 300 tons of low-enriched uranium will be exported in 2007 to Japan via trading company Itochu Corp. (AP Nov. 3, 2006)
> View deposit info
In situ leach pilot plant at Djengeldi uranium deposit produces first batch of uranium:
While President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Uzbekistan on Wednesday (Nov. 1, 2023) evening, the French uranium specialist Orano announced this Thursday, November 2, that it had extracted its first 350 kilograms of uranium in the country.
(La Tribune Nov. 2, 2023)
In situ leach pilot plant at Djengeldi uranium deposit commissioned:
In November 2022, [...]. In the same month, Nurlikum Mining commissioned the first industrial pilot project to confirm the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of mining the Djengeldi deposit.
(Orano - 2022 Annual Activity Report)
In situ leach pilot plant at Djengeldi uranium deposit to start in 2022:
At the end of 2021, Nurlikum Mining had completed more than 200 exploratory
drilling projects and launched the construction of the ISR pilot, which is due to enter production in 2022 in order to confirm the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of exploiting the deposits.
(Orano - 2021 Annual Activity Report)
> View deposit info
Korea Resources forms uranium joint venture in Uzbekistan
Korea Resources Corporation together with Goskomgeologiya (State Committee of Geology) agreed on the creation of a joint venture for the industrial development of the Dzhantuar uranium deposit, located in the center section of the desert Kyzyl Kum (Navoiyskaya region) and containing 7,154 t U and 19,000 t vanadium.
(GAZETA.KZ 8 Sep 2006)
> View deposit info
Cogéma quits Sugraly project?
Cogéma has quit from a project with Navoi Mining & Metallurgical Complex (NMMC) to develop the Sugraly uranium deposit (38,000 tU, 44,813 tonnes U3O8), according to Kabar news agency. NMMC will start the project alone in October 2001. (WNA News Briefing 01.33, August 15, 2001)
However, Cogema said that it did not 'opt out' of the project in mid-2001. It made a positive field investigation of the project in 1988, but subsequent discussions with the Combinat (Navoi) 'did not lead to an agreement' and Cogema has had 'no further involvement with the project since the end of 1999'. (WNA News Briefing 01.40, Oct. 3, 2001)
Cogéma conducts feasibility study for Sugraly deposit
Cogéma, together with Duzbek Navoi, is conducting a feasibility study for the eventual exploitation of the Sugraly deposit (Les Echos 15 Oct 1998).
The deposit had been exploited by underground and in-situ leach mining between 1977 and 1994.