Orano Mining has partnered with Uzbekistan’s Navoiuran and Japan’s ITOCHU to begin uranium extraction at the Jongeldy deposit following the loss of assets in Niger. This trilateral agreement, signed in March 2025, aims to enhance uranium production and bolster investments in Uzbekistan’s uranium sector. The project includes a $214 million investment with expected annual production capacities and signifies Uzbekistan’s strategic importance for global uranium supply chains.
France’s Orano Mining has redirected its attention to Uzbekistan following its recent loss of uranium assets in Niger. On March 10, 2025, Orano, Uzbekistan’s Navoiuran, and Japan’s ITOCHU established a trilateral agreement in Paris aimed at initiating uranium extraction at the Jongeldy deposit. This agreement not only focuses on developing the deposit but also on enhancing geological exploration for additional joint projects.
Uzbekistan is positioned as one of the top five uranium producers globally. The collaboration with prominent firms like Orano Mining and ITOCHU is expected to amplify Uzbekistan’s influence in the critical uranium sector. The agreement paves the way for the growth of the uranium mining industry, increasing output, and drawing in foreign investments.
The initial phase of the Jongeldy deposit project will require an investment of $214 million over a three-year period. Foreign companies will primarily fund this phase, while Navoiuran will oversee the project operations. This collaborative structure aims to minimize production costs and integrate mining practices with existing industrial frameworks, with projected annual uranium production expected at 500 tonnes, peaking at 700 tonnes in South Jongeldy.
A joint venture named Nurlikum Mining will be created to execute the project, with ITOCHU acquiring shares, reflecting the international character of the endeavor and enhancing its attractiveness to investors. This effort comes as Orano Mining pivots from lost assets in Niger, where recent political changes have diminished French companies’ mining rights.
According to the World Nuclear Association, Niger was the seventh largest producer of natural uranium in 2022, contributing 3.47% of the world’s total output. Orano previously derived around 1,200 tonnes of uranium from Niger, alongside 5,000 tonnes from Canada, pushing projects in Central Asia to the forefront for Orano.
The Jongeldy project aligns with a wider cooperation strategy between Navoiuran and Orano, which began with a strategic framework agreement signed in 2022. In a related development, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Orano Chairwoman Claude Imauven in November 2023, furthering initiatives for uranium exploration and extraction.
Additionally, Orano Mining is expanding its reach in other regions. In December 2024, a preliminary agreement for the Zoovch-Ovoo deposit in Mongolia was made, and plans for a small mining operation in Uzbekistan were announced in February 2025 by Orano CEO Nicolas Maes.
The recent trilateral agreement signifies a major advancement for Uzbekistan’s uranium sector, boosting production capacity and enhancing its global market presence. As geopolitical dynamics shift and France navigates the loss of its African assets, Uzbekistan emerges as a critical ally for Orano. This agreement also benefits Japan, which seeks reliable uranium supply chains, fostering hope for future collaboration in Uzbekistan’s uranium industry.
Orano Mining’s partnership with Uzbekistan and Japan’s ITOCHU marks a strategic shift following the loss of mining assets in Niger. The $214 million investment in the Jongeldy deposit aims to enhance Uzbekistan’s uranium production capabilities while tapping into international collaborations. This endeavor not only signals a focus on expanding the uranium industry but also underscores Uzbekistan’s rising significance in the global uranium market, especially amid geopolitical changes affecting uranium sources.
Original Source: news.az
