Uzbekistan’s Navoiyuran Launches New Uranium Production at Qizilkok
Uzbekistan’s state-owned uranium producer Navoiyuran has started commercial production at its Qizilkok deposit in the Navoi region, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to expand uranium output.
The project, located about 600 km from Tashkent, contains an estimated 9,400 tonnes of uranium reserves and is expected to operate for 15 years. It is now the company’s third-largest producing site.
Boosting global position
The launch reinforces Navoiyuran’s standing as one of the world’s top uranium producers. The company reported output of around 7,000 tonnes in 2025, placing it sixth globally and reflecting a 35% increase year-on-year.
Uzbekistan has remained a relatively low-profile player in the uranium market, which is typically dominated by countries such as Kazakhstan, Canada, and Namibia.
Advanced extraction technology
Like other operations, Qizilkok uses in-situ recovery (ISR), a method that injects a solution underground to dissolve uranium before pumping it to the surface. The technique is considered more cost-efficient and less infrastructure-intensive than traditional mining.
At the new site, Navoiyuran is applying a low-reagent leaching process that relies more on oxygen than chemicals, improving recovery rates while reducing costs.
Expanding resource strategy
The project aligns with Uzbekistan’s broader strategy to increase uranium production and strengthen its resource base through 2030. The country has been actively developing its mining sector, including a multi-billion-dollar programme covering dozens of projects and critical minerals.
As global demand for nuclear energy rises, Uzbekistan is positioning itself as an increasingly important supplier in the international uranium market.
