TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 2. The state-owned enterprise Navoiyuran (Uzbekistan), the Orano Group (France), and ITOCHU Corporation (Japan) have successfully advanced their partnership within the joint venture “Nurlikum Mining,” marking a significant expansion of their cooperation, Trend reports.
Under the agreement signed on March 10, 2025, in Paris, this new phase enables the industrial development of the “South Djengeldi” uranium deposit in the Tomdi district of the Navoi region. In the updated joint venture structure, Navoiyuran and Orano will each hold a 45 percent stake, while the remaining 10 percent will be held by Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation as a project partner.
The project will be fully integrated into Navoiyuran’s local production infrastructure, with the company acting as the operator. This approach is designed to leverage existing infrastructure, reduce production costs, and enhance operational efficiency.
The “South Djengeldi” deposit is projected to ensure stable uranium production for 10 years, with an average annual output of 500 tons and a potential peak of up to 700 tons.
This initiative constitutes a pivotal component of the strategic
alliance framework established in 2022 between Orano and the
Government of Uzbekistan, wherein collaborative geological
exploration endeavors are designed to significantly enhance the
nation’s uranium resource base, with a target of achieving a
minimum doubling of reserves.
As a premier global entity in the nuclear materials sector, Orano
delivers innovative solutions to address the prevailing and
forthcoming challenges in the realms of energy and public health on
a worldwide scale. Leveraging its specialized knowledge and
cutting-edge innovations, Orano is positioned to provide premium,
value-centric offerings and solutions throughout the comprehensive
nuclear fuel lifecycle.
Nurlikum Mining represents a strategic alliance formed in 2019, integrating the expertise of the French nuclear powerhouse Orano with Uzbekistan's state-owned entity Navoiyuran, and subsequently incorporating Japan's Itochu. This venture is focused on the exploration and extraction of uranium resources within the Djengeldi region of Uzbekistan. The organization is strategically positioned to leverage cutting-edge industrial methodologies, encompassing In-Situ Recovery (ISR) techniques, to extract uranium while meticulously aligning with global safety protocols and environmental compliance frameworks.
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