SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Orano launches uranium mining activities in Uzbekistan

French uranium specialist Orano announced the start of its mining operations in Uzbekistan during President Emmanuel Macron's visit. This stage was marked by the signing of contracts in the renewable energies sector.

Share:

orano Logo

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Orano, France’s leading uranium producer, recently launched its first mining operations in Uzbekistan. During French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to this Central Asian country, the company extracted 350 kilograms of uranium. Although this volume is still symbolic, Orano has high hopes for the future of this pilot project.

Uzbekistan in Transition

Uzbekistan, led by Shavkat Mirzioev, has been gradually opening up since 2016 after decades of isolation. However, its economy remains largely state-controlled. Despite this, the country, with its 35 million inhabitants, is attracting the interest of regional powers such as China, Turkey and Russia.

Expanding Agreements and Projects

In addition to Orano, other French companies also signed agreements during the presidential visit. Electricity giant EDF has signed a pre-contract for two hydroelectric projects, while TotalEnergies has signed a memorandum of understanding for the extension of the Tutly solar power plant. In addition, a hybrid power plant project involving solar, wind and batteries has been agreed between Voltalia and the Uzbek Ministry of Energy. The Egis engineering group has been awarded a feasibility study for the tramway in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.

French Support for Development

The French Treasury will also support projects in Uzbekistan, such as the supply of drinking water to the Kashkadarya region (south) by the Eiffage group, given the largely desert nature of the country. What’s more, French companies are already involved in modernizing Tashkent’s infrastructure, with Veolia and Suez managing district heating and water purification respectively. Since 2016, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has financed projects worth over €1.3 billion in Uzbekistan, covering urban infrastructure, water management and energy.

President Macron’s visit to Uzbekistan marked a significant turning point in economic relations between France and this rapidly opening Central Asian country. Agreements signed in the renewable energies, uranium and infrastructure sectors illustrate the growing interest of French companies in this expanding market. Uzbekistan, in its quest for modernization and economic development, seems to have become a prime destination for French investment.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Arevon launches $200mn solar plant construction in Illinois
Berlin approves strategic minority stake in TenneT Germany
Washington launches new sale of 80 million offshore oil acres
au Renewable Energy invests in nine high-voltage storage sites in Japan
Japan commissions first 4MWh grid battery in Shiga Prefecture
TRISO-X begins vertical construction on advanced nuclear fuel facility in Tennessee
TRISO-X has started above-ground works on the first U.S. facility dedicated to manufacturing fuel for small modular reactors, marking a key industrial milestone in the deployment of the Xe-100.
Russia delivers key test rig for ITER project progress
The first Russian test rig for the experimental ITER reactor has been delivered to the site in France, marking a major milestone in the international collaboration on nuclear fusion.
Allseas’ nuclear concept could inject EUR130bn into Dutch economy by 2050
A strategic report reveals the industrial and energy potential of Allseas’ offshore small modular reactor, which could create up to 40,000 jobs and reduce investment in the power grid.
Japan approves partial restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant
Niigata’s governor is expected to approve the restart of one reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, inactive since the Fukushima accident, reviving a strategic asset for Japan’s energy sector.
Aecon partners with Norsk Kjernekraft to develop SMRs in Norway
Canadian firm Aecon and private developer Norsk Kjernekraft have signed a strategic agreement targeting the deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactors across several potential locations in Norway.
South Africa restarts PBMR project with strategic transfer to Necsa
The South African government has officially lifted the PBMR reactor out of inactivity, launching a public investment programme and transferring the strategic nuclear asset from Eskom to Necsa.
France locks in €100bn nuclear programme under state control
The French Court of Auditors values EDF’s grand carénage at over €100bn, while EPR2 reactors already exceed €67–75bn. The State simultaneously directs regulation, financing, and industrial strategy, raising the risk of conflict of interest.
Belarus launches new public investment in a third nuclear reactor
Belarus commits major public investment to add a third reactor at the Ostrovets plant and initiates studies for a second nuclear site to support national energy demand.
Framatome completes second test cycle on next-generation nuclear fuel
Framatome’s accident-tolerant fuel prototype has completed a second 24-month cycle in a commercial nuclear reactor in the United States, paving the way for a third phase of industrial testing.
UK to install three Rolls-Royce small modular reactors at Wylfa nuclear site
The Wylfa site in Wales will host three Rolls-Royce small modular reactors from 2026, marking a strategic investment in the UK’s nuclear expansion.
Flamanville 3 reaches 80% power output ahead of extended 2026 shutdown
EDF confirmed that the Flamanville EPR has reached a major milestone, while planning a nearly year-long shutdown in 2026 for extensive regulatory inspections and key component replacement.
EDF expands access to nuclear contracts in response to regulatory changes
EDF is opening access to its long-term nuclear supply contracts to companies consuming more than 7 GWh per year, an adjustment driven by the gradual end of the Arenh mechanism.
South Korea extends operation of Kori 2 nuclear reactor until 2033
South Korean authorities have approved the continued operation of the Kori 2 reactor for an additional eight years, marking a key milestone in the national nuclear strategy.
Brazil launches BRL50mn microreactor project for 5 MW capacity
A public-private consortium is developing a 5 MW thermal microreactor designed to operate without refuelling for ten years, marking a strategic step in Brazil's nuclear innovation efforts.
Flamanville EPR reaches 80% output as EDF stays on schedule
EDF has announced that the Flamanville EPR reactor is now operating at 80% of its capacity. The target of reaching full output by the end of autumn remains confirmed by the utility.
Oklo secures key approval for upcoming nuclear fuel facility
The accelerated approval of the Aurora facility’s nuclear safety plan marks a strategic milestone in rebuilding a domestic nuclear fuel production line in the United States.
Industrikraft takes 20% stake in Videberg Kraft to support Ringhals nuclear project
The Industrikraft consortium will invest SEK400mn ($42.2mn) to become a shareholder in Videberg Kraft, marking a new phase in Sweden’s nuclear project led by Vattenfall on the Värö Peninsula.
Westinghouse secures $114mn contract to supply fuel to Paks nuclear plant
MVM Group has signed an agreement with Westinghouse to secure VVER-440 fuel supplies from 2028, reducing its reliance on Russia and strengthening nuclear cooperation between Budapest and Washington.
TVEL resumes nuclear cooperation with Vietnam through new fuel delivery
The delivery of nuclear fuel by Russian subsidiary TVEL to the Da Lat research reactor marks a key step in strengthening the nuclear commercial partnership between Moscow and Hanoi.
X-energy signs $40mn agreement with Toyo Tanso for initial Xe-100 reactors
US supplier X-energy has formalised a graphite supply contract with Japan's Toyo Tanso for the construction of its first four small modular reactors, in partnership with Dow and backed by the US Department of Energy.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.