The French company Orano will start developing its South Djengeldy uranium mining project in Uzbekistan as part of the Nurlikum Mining joint venture with the Uzbek state-owned mining company Navoiyuran. Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation has also acquired a minority stake in the joint venture.
In 2023, reports indicated that Orano planned to invest up to $500 million in uranium mining and processing in Uzbekistan.
This development comes against the backdrop of a meeting in Paris on Wednesday, where Presidents Mirziyoyev and Macron decided to establish a strategic partnership between their countries. The overall portfolio of joint projects between Uzbekistan and France exceeds €12 billion.