Nurlikum Mining
Nurlikum Mining was set up in 2019 as a joint venture between Orano, the French nuclear fuel group, and Navoiyuran, Uzbekistan's state uranium producer. It received exploration permits for the Djengeldi North and South deposits in 2020. In 2022 Orano and Uzbekistan signed a strategic framework agreement aimed at at least doubling the resources identified in the area.
Over five years the venture drilled more than 200,000 metres. In November 2023 a pilot in-situ recovery operation produced its first 350 kg of uranium. In 2025 the partners agreed to develop South Djengeldi, in the Tomdi district of the Navoi region. By September 2025 the ownership was Navoiyuran 45%, Orano 45% and a minority stake held by Japan's ITOCHU.
Orano and its partners expect the project to produce an average of 500 tonnes of uranium a year, peaking at 700 tonnes, for more than ten years. Kun.uz reported in June 2025 that the first phase would require an investment of about $214 million over three years. Ministry-registered resources at Djengeldi are 12,500 tonnes of uranium.