Uzbekistan, Tashkent, June 1 / Trend D.Azizov /
A tender on exploration works at seven uranium areas at Central Kyzylkum in Uzbekistan has been postponed, the Uzbek State Geology and Mineral Resources Committee said.
Earlier the tender was expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2010. Exploration is planned to identify black-shale uranium deposits. According to preliminary data, investments in geological surveys in all areas were estimated at $15 million.
The decision to postpone the tender was made due to uranium prices on the world market, the committee reported.
Earlier, Uzbekistan signed a series of protocols on exploration and development cooperation with the Japanese Itochu and Sojitz Corp., as well as with the Korean Korea Resources Corp. However, the joint venture has not yet been established.
The Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine (NMMC) and the committee signed a protocol of intent with Russia's Tenex and Rusburmash "to develop the Aktau uranium deposit" in 2006. The project was not implemented.
The Chinese CGNPC Uranium Resources Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of the China Guandonsk Nuclear Energy Corporation and the committee, created the Uz-China Uran JV in July 2009 to explore the Boztauskoy prospective area in Navoi.
Uzbekistan is among the top ten countries in the world in terms of uranium reserves. It is not a consumer of uranium products, and all produced uranium is exported.
Twenty-seven fields are located in the Kyzylkum region, with total reserves of about 55,000 tons.
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