Natural uranium, the main export product of the State Enterprise “Navoiuran”, is one of the important, if not the most important resource for the world production of “green” energy through nuclear technologies. Thanks to my work in Navoiuran State Enterprise, the company responsible for uranium mining in the Republic of Uzbekistan, as the Director of Foreign Economic Relations and Sales, I had a unique honor and opportunity to see and appreciate the significance of this strategic resource in the development of our country’s economy and strengthening of international cooperation.
Natural uranium mining in Uzbekistan dates back to Soviet times. In the mid-20th century, geological surveys revealed rich uranium deposits throughout the country, especially in the Central Kizilkum region, which led to the emergence of a new industry – mining, and its extraction on an industrial scale – first by the traditional mining method, and then by the ecologically and economically advanced method of in-situ leaching.
After gaining independence in 1991, the Republic of Uzbekistan became a full-fledged owner of its uranium mining assets, forming a state-owned company known today as Navoiuran State Enterprise. For decades, the management of the company has been continuously implementing measures to modernize mining operations, upgrade equipment, introduce advanced mining methods and expand exploration, while maintaining a strong commitment to environmentally responsible practices. And these measures have played their role: whereas previously we lagged far behind the larger uranium-producing countries in terms of production, Uzbekistan now plays a significant role in the supply of natural uranium for nuclear power plants around the world. According to the World Nuclear Association (WNA), the Republic of Uzbekistan is consistently among the world’s top ten uranium producers. In recent years, our country has produced more than 3,000 tons of uranium annually on average, surpassing Russia and taking 5th place in the global ranking.
According to “World Nuclear Association” (WNA) data, in 2023 the world demand for natural uranium amounted to 65.6 thousand tons, with the main consuming countries being the USA (18 thousand tons), China (11.3 thousand tons), France (8.8 thousand tons), Russia (6.3 thousand tons), South Korea (4.1 thousand tons). Uzbekistan covers about 5% of global demand annually.
Navoiuran State Enterprise is currently the only uranium producer in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Navoiuran’s VPP department is engaged in establishing international partner relations and managing foreign trade export contracts through daily active negotiations with our foreign partners to maximize satisfaction of the world demand for natural uranium.
It should be noted that natural uranium is not used directly at NPPs. First, natural uranium is converted into uranium hexafluoride, after which it is enriched with uranium isotope U235, a fissile component that allows for a chain reaction in reactors. In this regard, the consignees of our products are “conversion enterprises” – plants that provide reprocessing services on a commercial basis, such as France’s Orano, Canada’s Cameco, the United States’ Converdin and others.
At the same time, the strategic location of our country, combined with the stable management of the state in general and the enterprise in particular, has allowed us to develop long-term export relations with countries in Asia, Europe, North America and other regions of the world. As nuclear power becomes more and more important in the fight against climate change and the promotion of the “green” economy, our enterprise intends not only to maintain but also to increase its potential in the future, thus strengthening its position in the world market of natural uranium.
We are proud to have achieved world-class recognition and assurance that our processes and mining methods meet stringent environmental standards. From new exploration projects to advanced technologies and production methods such as in-situ leaching, we continually strive to minimise our environmental impact while maximising efficiency.
Hasan SAFAROV, Director of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade of the «Navoiyuran» SE
01/09/2021 
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