ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 1. French Orano S.A. intends to expand areas of cooperation with Kazakhstan, including the implementation of joint strategic projects outside the country, Trend reports.
This was stated during a meeting between the chief operating officer of the Orano group and the management of Kazakhstan's Samruk-Kazyna JSC (Sovereign Wealth Fund).
In turn, the head of the Samruk-Kazyna JSC noted the long-term, reliable partnership with French companies in the nuclear industry and expressed readiness to consider new projects.
The parties also discussed the activities of the KATCO joint venture.
Kazakhstan holds a prominent position as a leading global producer and exporter of uranium, and it stands as a significant partner for France in this domain. The mining company KATCO, a joint venture of French Orano and Kazatomprom, is actively developing uranium deposits in the Moinkum and Tortkuduk regions of southern Kazakhstan. The annual production capacity is estimated at 4,000 tons.
Since 2008, the Kazakh-French joint venture has successfully produced over 49,000 tons of uranium. Analysts note that Kazakhstan currently holds the title of the world's largest exporter and holder of uranium reserves, contributing to 46 percent of global uranium production.
Approximately 14 percent of the world's proven uranium reserves are concentrated within Kazakhstan, with the country's total proven reserves estimated at over 700,000 tons of uranium.
