Orano signs a partnership agreement in Uzbekistan

Nicolas Maes, Senior Executive Vice President of Orano's Mining Business Unit declared: "We are happy with and proud of this agreement which is part of the geographical diversification of the group's mining activities and consolidates its presence in Central Asia. It helps to strengthen relations within the framework of cooperation between France and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has extensive experience in the mining of uranium deposits by ISR¹, and combined with Orano's experience, this gives this project the solid foundations expected to move into new territories and develop innovative solutions capable of improving our productivity and thus meet our customers' expectations".

Bobir Islamov, Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Geology and Mineral Resources said: "Uzbekistan is rich in mineral resources and has a developed mining industry. The country mines major deposits such as the Muruntau gold deposit, the Kalmakyr porphyry copper deposit, and the Uchkuduk uranium mines in the province of Kyzylkum. The partnership agreement we are signing with Orano is about consolidating our efforts and carrying out mutually beneficial projects in order to diversify our uranium industry and create new production capacities by combining the expertise and experience of both parties. We believe cooperating with a reliable partner such as Orano, which has vast expertise and experience as well as a stable place in the global uranium market, will contribute to the success of the projects carried out by the JV we are creating. The agreement signed today is a symbolic event and will, without doubt, contribute to the development of a good relationship and friendship between France and Uzbekistan".

About GoscomGeology

GoscomGeology is the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Geology and Mineral Resources. GoscomGeology coordinates and provides for geological exploration of minerals, fulfillment of tasks for increasing reserves of hydromineral resources, solid nonmetallic minerals, ferrous and rare metals, rare earth elements and geological tasks for the formation, strengthening and expansion of the Republic's mineral and raw materials base (except hydrocarbon raw materials, precious and non-ferrous metals, uranium) and other works in the field of geological study of the territory of the Republic. GoscomGeology carries out the rights and duties of the owner on geological and other information about the subsoil, obtained from public funds through the GoscomGeology system; and carries out its accounting, storage and systematization for all types of minerals obtained as a result of geological exploration work both financed by state funds and own resources of users of subsurface resources.

¹In Situ Recovery