Uzbekistan Plans to Double Uranium Production by 2030

Uzbekistan plans to double its annual uranium production to 15,000 metric tons by 2030, up from a projected 7,500 this year, as demand for nuclear fuel grows. Tashkent also wants to expand critical mineral processing to produce more finished goods for export. The development plans, published by the president’s office on November 5, cover state-owned uranium producer Navoiyuran and the Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex. According to the World Nuclear Association, Uzbekistan ranks fifth globally in uranium production. Output reached 7,000 metric tons in 2025, up from 5,200 the previous year. The industry is concentrated around Navoi, an industrial center in central Uzbekistan. Buyers of Uzbek uranium include companies from Japan, Canada, South Korea, and China. Neighboring Kazakhstan remains the world’s largest uranium producer, accounting for approximately 39% of global output in 2024. Uzbekistan’s expansion could further increase Central Asia’s importance to international nuclear fuel markets. The November 5 announcement said global uranium demand had increased by 15–20% in recent years and could grow by another 28% by 2030. It did not identify the source or methodology behind those figures. To meet its production targets, Navoiyuran plans to expand geological exploration and develop new deposits, supported by additional uranium processing units. The government also aims to increase explored uranium reserves to 200,000 metric tons by 2030. Another priority is reducing the industry’s dependence on sulfuric acid, a key chemical used in uranium extraction. Uzbekistan intends to increase the use of alternatives so that they account for 40% of extraction reagents by 2030. Alongside uranium, the country is developing production of materials used in electronics, energy, engineering, and other advanced industries. The complex is already working with tungsten, molybdenum, selenium, tellurium, and rhenium. Plans call for expanding into 11 additional metals and minerals, including nickel, cobalt, graphite, and vanadium. By 2030, the government aims to increase the production value of these 16 materials to more than $2.7 billion. Tungsten processing projects are expected to attract $1.1 billion in investment, with the government aiming to bring the production value of tungsten-related products to nearly $2.2 billion by 2030. The metal is widely used in hard alloys for cutting tools and other industrial equipment. The complex also plans to launch 12 investment projects by the end of 2026 and expand production of high-purity selenium and tellurium. Both elements have applications in modern manufacturing, including electronic components and solar panels. Uzbekistan is also considering the development of deposits containing rare and rare-earth elements to expand its mineral resource base. The announcement did not specify when individual facilities would reach full capacity or provide projected export volumes. Uzbekistan’s uranium deposits have already attracted interest from foreign investors, including companies from China, France, and Japan. In 2025, French nuclear fuel company Orano and Navoiyuran expanded their partnership in the Nurlikum Mining joint venture, with each holding a 45% stake and Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation owning the remaining 10%. The venture plans to develop the South Djengeldi uranium deposit, with average annual production expected to reach about 500 metric...