Beginning of a new phase for the Nurlikum Mining joint venture in Uzbekistan

In September 2025, the state-owned enterprise Navoiyuran (Uzbekistan), the Orano group (France), and the ITOCHU Corporation (Japan) completed the evolution of their partnership within the joint venture “Nurlikum Mining,” thereby expanding their cooperation.

According to the agreement signed on March 10, 2025, in Paris, this new phase paves the way for the industrial development of the “South Djengeldi” uranium deposit, located in the Tomdi district of the Navoi region.

Under the updated structure, Navoiyuran and Orano will each hold a 45 percent stake in the joint venture. The remaining share will be held by Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation as a partner of the project.

The project will be integrated into the local production base of Navoiyuran which will serve as operator, leveraging synergies through the existing infrastructure. This decision aims to reduce production costs and increase efficiency.

The “South Djengeldi” deposit is expected to provide stable production for 10 years. According to calculations, the average annual uranium output will be 500 tons, with a peak of up to 700 tons.

This project is part of the strategic cooperation program signed in 2022 between Orano and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Within this framework, joint geological exploration will be carried out with the goal of at least doubling the volume of mineral resources.

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Source: Orano