Kazakhstan is the world’s leading producer of uranium, accounting for almost 40 percent of global uranium production (22,808 tonnes U in 2019). All uranium is produced by the in situ recovery (ISR) mining method. The country has about 26 percent of the world’s known low-cost uranium resources in the category below $80/kgU.
In 2016, Uranium One’s share of the production from its six Kazakhstan joint ventures was 12.73 million lbs. of U3O8 (4,896 tonnes of uranium).
In Kazakhstan, Uranium One holds a 70 percent interest in JV “SMCC” LLP, which owns the Akdala and South Inkai uranium mines; a 50 percent interest in Karatau LLP, which owns the Karatau uranium mine; a 50 percent interest in JSC “JV «Akbastau”, which owns the Akbastau uranium mine; a 49.98 percent interest in JSC “JV “ZARECHNOYE”, which owns the Zarechnoye uranium mine; and a 30 percent interest in JV “Khorasan-U” LLP, which owns the Kharasan uranium mine.
Akbastau
Akbastau is an operating ISR uranium mine comprising the No. 1, 3 and 4 sections of the Budenovskoye uranium deposit, located in the Chu-Sarysu basin of the Suzak region, South Kazakhstan province.
Employing about 40 people, JSC “JV «Akbastau” is owned indirectly as to 50 percent by Uranium One through the JSC “JV «Akbastau” joint venture, a Kazakhstan limited liability partnership.
The other 50 percent interest is owned by Kazatomprom.
Akbastau is located adjacent to the Karatau uranium mine. Production began at Akbastau in 2009.
JSC “JV «Akbastau” has the right to carry on exploration, mining and sales operations from the No. 1, 3 and 4 sections of the Budenovskoye uranium deposit under long-term subsoil use contracts with the Government of Kazakhstan.
In 2016, production from the JSC “JV «Akbastau” mine was 4.58 million lbs. of U3O8 (1,762 tonnes of uranium), of which 2.29 million lbs. (881 tonnes of uranium) was attributable to Uranium One.
JSC “JV «Akbastau” entered into a toll processing agreement with Karatau, under which a part of pregnant solutions and eluates produced at Akbastau are currently processed at Karatau.
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AKDALA
Akdala is an operating in situ recovery (ISR) uranium mine located in the Chu-Sarysu basin of the Suzak region, South Kazakhstan province. With roughly 435 employees,
70 percent of Akdala is owned indirectly by Uranium One through the JV “SMCC” LLP, a Kazakhstan limited liability partnership.
The other 30 percent interest is owned by Kazatomprom.
Production began at Akdala in 2004. JV “SMCC” LLP has the right to carry on exploration, mining and sales operations at Akdala under a long-term subsoil use contract with the Government of Kazakhstan.
In 2016, production from the Akdala mine was 2.6 million lbs. of U3O8 (1,000 tonnes of uranium), of which 1.8 million lbs. (700.5 tonnes of uranium) was attributable to Uranium One.
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SOUTH INKAI
South Inkai is an operating ISR uranium mine located in the Chu-Sarysu basin of the Suzak region, South Kazakhstan province that employs approximately 520 people. South Inkai is owned indirectly as to 70 percent by Uranium One through JV “SMCC” LLP joint venture, a Kazakhstan limited liability partnership. The other 30 percent interest is owned by Kazatomprom.
Production began at South Inkai in 2009. JV “SMCC” LLP has the right to carry on exploration, mining and sales operations at South Inkai under a long-term subsoil use contract with the Government of Kazakhstan.
In 2016, production from the Akdala mine was 5.3 million lbs. of 3O8 (2,056 tonnes of uranium), of which 3.7 million lbs. (1,439 tonnes of uranium) was attributable to Uranium One.
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KARATAU
Karatau is an operating ISR uranium mine comprising the No. 2 section of the Budenovskoye uranium deposit, located in the Chu-Sarysu basin of the Suzak region,
South Kazakhstan province. Employing approximately 620 people, Karatau is owned indirectly as to 50 percent by Uranium One through the Karatau LLP, a Kazakhstan limited liability partnership.
The other 50 percent interest is owned by Kazatomprom.
Karatau is located adjacent to the Akbastau uranium mine. Production began at Karatau in 2009. Karatau LLP has the right to carry on exploration, mining and sales operations in the No. 2 section of the Budenovskoye uranium deposit under a long-term subsoil use contract with the Government of Kazakhstan.
In 2016, production from the Karatau mine was 5.4 million lbs. of U3O8 (2,081 tonnes of uranium), of which 2.7 million lbs. (1,040.5 tonnes of uranium) was attributable to Uranium One.
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KHARASAN
Kharasan is an operating ISR uranium mine located in the Syr Darya basin in the Zhanakorgan region, Kyzylorda province, which employs approximately 415 people.
Uranium One has a 30 percent indirect interest in the Kharasan mine through a 30 percent interest in JV “Khorasan-U” LLP, a Kazakhstan limited liability partnership.
The remaining interests in the mine are held by Kazatomprom, as to 50 percent, and by a consortium of Japanese utilities and a trading company, as to the balance.
Commercial production began at Kharasan in 2013. JV “Khorasan-U” LLP has the right to carry on exploration, mining and sales operations under a long-term subsoil use contract with the Government of Kazakhstan.
In the 2016 year, production from the Kharasan mine was 3.65 million lbs. of U3O8 (1,404 tonnes of uranium), of which 1.1 million lbs. (421 tonnes of uranium) was attributable to Uranium One.
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ZARECHNOYE
Zarechnoye is an operating ISR uranium mine located in the Syr Darya basin in the Otrar district, South Kazakhstan province, which employs approximately 410 people.
Uranium One has a 49.98 percent indirect interest in the Zarechnoye uranium mine through the JSC “JV “ZARECHNOYE” joint venture, a Kazakhstan joint stock company. Kazatomprom holds an equivalent 49.98 percent interest; the remaining interest is held by a Kyrgyzstan JSC Karabalty Mining Combine.
Production began at Zarechnoye in 2009. JSC “JV “ZARECHNOYE” has the right to carry on exploration, mining and sales operations under a long-term subsoil use contract with the Government of Kazakhstan.
In 2016, production from the Zarechnoye mine was 2.15 million lbs. of U3O8 (828 tonnes of uranium), of which 1.08 million lbs. (414 tonnes of uranium) was attributable to Uranium One.
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