Uzbekistan, Tashkent, May 24 / Trend D. Azizov /
Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Plant (NMMP) of Uzbekistan by early 2014 will complete the construction of facilities for Aulbek and North Kanimekh uranium deposits in Central Kyzyl Kum worth $55 million.
The plant reported that in early May it commissioned new power uranium production in these deposits.
"At geotechnological mine number 1 production began at the Aulbek deposit by method of underground leaching (ISL). A local installation of sorption at North Kanimekh deposit began t work," the statement said.
According to the plant's specialists, commissioning of a new complex expands the plant's resource base, thus increasing the production of uranium at these deposits by 20 percent by 2015.
As previously reported, in 2012-2013 the plant will additionally invest $124 million in increase in uranium mining.
In particular, the construction of six mines for uranium mining by method of underground leaching activates, which will increase uranium production by 2014 by 1.7 times compared to 2,270 tons in 2007. In subsequent years, data on uranium mining was not disclosed.
As previously reported, the plant has a monopoly on the production, refining and export of uranium. The structure of uranium production of NMMP includes mining and metallurgical plant number 1 (HMP-1) in Navoi, three mining companies, six geotechnological mines of underground leaching, developing 13 deposits of uranium with depth of ore bodies from 120 to 600 meters.
According to the State Committee of Geology and Mineral Resources of Uzbekistan, the proven and estimated reserves of uranium amount to 185,800 tons, of which 138,800 tons - the uranium deposits of sandstone-type, 47,000 tons - black shale. Black shale deposits of the type are not developed presently in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan is not a consumer of uranium products, and all produced uranium is exported.