Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Jan. 8
By Demir Azizov - Trend:
Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Complex (NMMC) of Uzbekistan has commissioned the North Kanimekh, Alendy and Meylisay fields in the country's Central Kyzylkum region, according to the company's message posted on NMMC's official website.
The commissioned fields totalled about $75 million, NMMC said.
It was previously reported that the project on development of these fields and bringing them to a design capacity by late 2014 will provide a 40 percent increase in uranium production.
Uranium production is carried out at NMMC by means of drill hole in situ leaching, which allows increasing the resource base by engaging in profitable mining of low-grade ores of sandstone type deposits, in the Kyzylkum region of Uzbekistan.
Earlier it was reported that in 2012-2013, the NMMC allocated a total of $124 million for expansion of uranium production capacity with the help of in situ leaching, which envisages enhancing the existing mining and processing facilities, renewing technological equipment, as well as constructing new mines.
The program was financed with NMMC's own funds, the state budget and loans from Uzbek banks.
The source of raw minerals for uranium production at NMMC is based on 20 deposits, with ore bodies at a depth of 120-600 meters, as well as 10 prospective areas.
NMMC has a monopoly right on extraction, refining and exporting products in the form of uranium oxide.
Until the early 90s the NMMC was producing 3-3.5 tons of low-enriched uranium a year. There has been no data on production of uranium in the last five years.
Currently, NMMC's uranium production industry includes hydrometallurgical plant (HMP-1) in Navoi, three mining companies. There are six in situ leaching mines and the reserves of 10 fields are being used in refining.
Proven and estimated reserves of uranium amount to 185,800 tons, some 138,800 tons of which are sandstone type uranium deposits and 47,000 tons are black shale deposits, according to the State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources of Uzbekistan.
Currently black shale deposits are not being developed in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is not a consumer of uranium products and all produced uranium is exported.
Translated by E.A.