KATCO, the joint venture between Orano and NAC Kazatomprom, has officially inaugurated its new uranium processing plant at the South Tortkuduk mining site in southern Kazakhstan, marking the transition to full operational status for the facility.
This milestone follows a US$190 million investment and a rapid three-year construction timeline, underscoring the project’s strategic importance for both Kazakhstan and the global nuclear industry.
The South Tortkuduk site, located within the extensive Muyunkum uranium deposit, contains reserves estimated at 46,000 tonnes of uranium.
The new plant will employ in-situ recovery (ISR) technology, a method recognised for its lower environmental impact compared to conventional mining.
As production from South Tortkuduk ramps up, it is set to gradually replace output from currently exploited areas, enabling KATCO to maintain its nominal annual production level of 4,000 tonnes by 2026.
This output represents approximately 7 per cent of global uranium production, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s role as a key supplier to the world’s nuclear energy sector.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives from Kazakhstani authorities, the French ambassador to Kazakhstan, and local community leaders.
The project’s completion was achieved with a strong safety record and in alignment with leading international environmental and operational standards.
The site’s design emphasises reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency to accelerate mining processes.
Xavier Saint Martin Tillet, Orano mining business unit senior executive vice-president, highlighted the significance of the partnership and the project’s global impact, stating: “This project showcases the successful partnership between Orano and Kazatomprom, with its development supported by the technical and environmental initiatives outlined in the cooperation memorandum signed between our two companies in November 2022.
“The successful completion of the South Tortkuduk project underlines KATCO JV’s positioning as one of the largest ISR uranium mining operations in the world, producing 7 per cent of the world’s uranium, indispensable for powering nuclear electricity production and fighting climate change.”
Kazatomprom CEO Meirzhan Yussupov said: “The launch of the processing plant at the South Tortkuduk site marks a significant milestone not only for KATCO, but also for the entire nuclear industry of Kazakhstan.
“This milestone bolsters Kazatomprom’s position as a world leader in uranium mining and confirms our country’s growing role in ensuring global energy security and the transition to a carbon-free future.”
The launch of South Tortkuduk comes as Kazakhstan continues to assert its leadership in uranium mining, even as it navigates legacy disputes, such as the recent overturning of a US$54.5 million arbitration award to World Wide Minerals over a discontinued uranium project.
With South Tortkuduk now fully operational, KATCO is positioned to sustain its contribution to global nuclear fuel supply and the pursuit of cleaner energy sources.
