Uranium exports: Uzbekistan strengthens energy cooperation with France

Uzbekistan has signed an agreement with a Kazakhstani company to supply uranium to France over the course of one year. Details of the agreement were posted on the website of the Uzbekistan Commodity Exchange.

According to the report, the Kazakhstani company will deliver 500 containers of uranium concentrate to France via Saint Petersburg. For this, Uzbekistan’s state enterprise “Navoiyuran” will pay 9 million euros to Kazakhstan's TOO Logistic Centre. The uranium will be transported to Malvési, a commune in southern France.

The transport cost includes the return of empty containers to Marseille, France. The shipments must be completed within 15 days from the date of dispatch from the port of Saint Petersburg.

The initial price for the contract was set at 11 million euros but was later reduced. The uranium deliveries are scheduled to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, “Navoiyuran” is actively seeking contractors for uranium transportation to processing enterprises such as “Converdin Enterprise” (USA) and “Cameco Corporation” (Canada).

During President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state visit to France from March 11-13 of this year, Orano and “Navoiyuran” announced a partnership agreement to further develop the Nurlikum Mining joint venture’s Southern Jengeldi uranium mining project.