South Tortkuduk: A New Era Opens for Strategic Uranium Mining in Kazakhstan!
July 3, 2025, marked a historic date for KATCO, the joint venture between Orano and NAC Kazatomprom JSC, with the inauguration of its new uranium processing plant at the South Tortkuduk site in Kazakhstan. This decisive milestone consolidates KATCO's position as a major global player and opens new prospects for low-carbon nuclear energy supply.
Located in the south of Kazakhstan, approximately 300 kilometres north of Shymkent in the Turkestan region, South Tortkuduk is part of the vast Muyunkum uranium deposit. This project, the result of an overall investment of $190 million, was delivered within a tight three-year timeframe and with an excellent safety record.
A Strategic Site with Global Impact
South Tortkuduk holds significant reserves, estimated at 46,000 tons of uranium.
The new processing plant has a capacity of 2,000 tons of uranium per year, dedicated to uranium solutions from the southern area of the deposit.
Production from this new plot will gradually replace currently exploited areas, thereby extending KATCO's production lifespan for years to come.
As early as 2026, KATCO expects to return to its nominal production level of 4,000 tons of uranium per year, thus strengthening its position among the world's largest in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium mine operators and contributing 7% of the world's uranium production.
The new processing plant has a capacity of 2,000 tons of uranium per year, dedicated to uranium solutions from the southern area of the deposit.
Production from this new plot will gradually replace currently exploited areas, thereby extending KATCO's production lifespan for years to come.
As early as 2026, KATCO expects to return to its nominal production level of 4,000 tons of uranium per year, thus strengthening its position among the world's largest in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium mine operators and contributing 7% of the world's uranium production.
A Major Milestone for KATCO and its Partners
The inauguration of its new uranium processing plant at South Tortkuduk marks for KATCO the full operational phase of this strategic mining site. The ceremony took place in the presence of Kazakhstani authorities, the Ambassador of France to Kazakhstan, and local communities, underscoring the importance of this project.
Innovation and Responsibility at the Heart of Operations
The South Tortkuduk site has been designed and will be operated in accordance with leading international practices, with a particular focus on reducing environmental impact.
It notably incorporates a reduced carbon footprint thanks to the digitalization of wellfields for faster and more efficient ISR operations.
It notably incorporates a reduced carbon footprint thanks to the digitalization of wellfields for faster and more efficient ISR operations.
ISR is a cutting-edge technology that allows uranium extraction by injecting a solution into the deposit without extracting the host rock, thus minimizing environmental impact. This design model also aims to improve operational performance to optimize mining activities.
The successful completion of the South Tortkuduk project positions KATCO as one of the largest ISR uranium mining operations in the world, essential for nuclear electricity production and the fight against climate change.
Xavier Saint Martin Tillet, Senior Executive Vice President of the Orano Mining Business Unit.
A Success Driven by Expert Teams
This ambitious project was made possible thanks to the expertise and professionalism of KATCO's 1,200 employees, as well as Orano's experts. Their unwavering commitment to safety and security, their constant quest for innovation, and their mastery of cutting-edge technologies allowed for the delivery of this project on time and in safety.