Uranium resources & reserves update : results and prospects
In today’s globalization, the need for energy sources is increasing day by day. “Green energy” concept within uranium, atomic energy work in production as an important element of attention. Its highly efficiency, environmental cleanliness and economic aspects designates & gives the future importance of this resource.
In the process of preparing and extracting uranium resources & reserves, the data obtained during the geological exploration stage is of fundamentally importance. At this stage, all necessary information is collected for the identification of resource & reserves, their assessment, and the effective use of the deposit.
Uzbekistan has extensive experience in uranium mining and development. The bulk of the work in this area
has been carried out by “Urankamyobmetgeologiya” JSC for more than 70 years. This enterprise currently operates as the “Scientific and Production Center for the Geology of Uranium and Rare Metals”.
The ongoing reforms in uranium resources & reserves have been further expanded based on the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PP-319 dated July 14, 2022 “On measures to increase the volume of uranium mining, processing and transformation at the “Navoiyuran” State Enterprise during 2022-2030.” This resolution transformed the “Navoiyuran” State Enterprise into a fully integrated system and included all stages, from uranium exploration to its processing.
Modernization and digitalization of geological exploration have opened up new opportunities in the industry. These processes have increased efficiency and raised the results of uranium mining to a higher level.
Today “Geology of uranium and rare metals” the center for scientific development conduct separate geological exploration works in the northern, central and southern parts of the country. In the provinces Navoi and Samarkand regions, includes the 3 – “Bukantov”, “Nurota” and “Zirabulok ” geological research expeditions and geological exploration party are in operation. Also, based on the results of field geological projects of these expeditions, the rock sample, ore compositions, technological center The Geological Laboratory Complex, which performs analytical analyzes of solutions, serves in development of geological exploration work in the company.
In short, in all regions of the republic, especially in the Central “Kyzilkum”, Ziyavutdin-Zirabulok, Sirdarya depressions are specialized in uranium mining and honorable professions was geologists , geophysicists, geotechnologists, drilling specialists and topographers- markshader – surveyors are working on the basis of their experience.
As a result of research works conducted in the regions of our country, underground mineral wealth reserve and resources forecast is growing each year.
The study of promising uranium areas on the slopes of the Bukantog and Tomditog mountains through geological exploration work, as well as work carried out within the framework of forecasting and thematic projects, is aimed at identifying new uranium promising areas.
The scientific production center and its “Nurota” (Zafarabad, Konimex, Tomdi), “Bukantov” (Uchkuduq, Tomdi, Zarafshan), “Zirabulok” (Nurabad, Ziyovuddin) geological-research expedition and Geological-research party (Zafarabad, Konimex, Tomdi) are assigned to this task.
Currently, these expeditions are conducting drilling works for geological exploration in the regions by geologists and drilling specialists.
In particular, “Bukantov” geological expedition is carrying out drilling operations in Uchkuduq, Ziyokon, Mingboy, Moylisay, Kyzylok, Auminza, Tashkora, Mullali, Nurafshon, Jasaga and Okberdi fields located in Uchkuduq district.
As a result, it is planned to increase the forecasted resources and uranium reserves by the geological exploration. Also, geological exploration works were carried out in 3 new fields in 2024.
The “Nurota” geological exploration expedition, through its geological exploration work, conducts studies in promising uranium areas in the northern and southern Nurota mountain ranges and the territories of Forish, Konimekh, Uchkuduk, Nurota, and Tomdi districts.
In particular, the Nurota exploration expedition is conducting drilling operations at the following fields: “Arnasay” in the Forish district, “Central Chordara”, “Madaniyat”, “Kohnur”, “Southern Konimeh”, “Southern Bukinay” in the Konimeh district, “Kyzilcha” in the Nurota district, and “Northern Auminza” in the Tomdi district.
“Zirabulok” geological-exploration expedition aims to explore uranium prospecting areas on the slopes of Ziyovuddin and Karatepa mountains in the regions of Qiziltepa, Koson, Mubarak and Nurabad districts.
The forecast is also aimed at identifying new promising fields based on the results of geological exploration work carried out within the framework of thematic projects.
Currently, the eastern part of the “Sharqiy Agron”, “Janubiy Ingichka”, “Sobirsoy”, “Sakhoba” fields and the northern parts of the “Tuvaktau” field, located in the Kyziltepa district of the Navoi region, are being explored by the “Zirabulok” geological exploration expedition. The southern part of “Tuvaktau” field located in Mubarak district of Kashkadarya region and Koson Drilling works are ongoing in the “Shortepa-Jharqum” mineral fields located in the district.
As a result of geological prospecting, the main goal is to increase uranium resources and reserves.
Also, one of the main tasks of the Scientific and production Center “Geology of Uranium and Rare Metals” is to increase the uranium mineral raw material base to 100 thousand tons by 2030 by conducting uranium exploration, prospecting, evaluation, and forecasting-thematic work in all regions of the republic.
In addition, geophysical surveys are being conducted on each drilled well and correlated with topographic maps, geological core samples taken from the wells are being studied in laboratory conditions, and hydrogeological conditions of mineral-bearing horizons are being studied & surveyed.
Today, geological exploration works are carried out mainly on the slopes of Bukantog, Tomditog, Nurota, Auminzatog, Zirabulok-Ziyovuddin mountains of Central Kyzylkum.
“Navoiyuran” State Enterprise, at its own expense is carried out geological exploration works on 47 projects during 2024 within the framework of the “State Program for the Development and Replenishment of the Mineral Raw Material Base”. The qualified and dedicated employees and specialists of the center made a significant contribution in fulfillment of the program. 7 of these projects are additional exploration fields, 4 are exploration fields, 7 are appraisal works, 16 are prospecting fields, 10 are pilot-industrial work, and 3 are forecast-thematic work.
In short, 1,617,000 meters of drilling work was carried out in the Central Kyzylkum and Samarkand regions. During 2024 the results accordingly increased to uranium reserves of 10,000 tons, prediction resources and 12,500 tons new promising fields were identified and their mineral structure was studied.
30 wells were drilled during 2024. More than a thousand geological samples were taken. Analyses of the samples taken in modern laboratories helped determine the concentration of elements such as U, Mo, Se. Geophysical surveys increased the possibility of discovering new uranium deposits. At the same time, hydrogeological conditions were also studied in depth.
In addition, samples were taken from the tailings of the Uchkuduk and Sobirsoy deposits and studied in laboratory conditions. In order to increase the reserves of these deposits, additional exploration work is being carried out by the Bukantov and Zirabulak geological exploration expeditions.
In order to geologically study new promising fields in 2024, work was carried out to prepare design and estimate documentation for 8 promising fields.
At the same time, based on the results of geological exploration work carried out on the southeastern part of the “Zhongeldy” field, the “Shimoliy Bukinoy” field, and the “Oktov” field, a final geological report was prepared and submitted for approval to the State Reserves Commission under the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology of Uzbekistan.
International cooperation in the uranium sector is of great importance for Uzbekistan. In particular, cooperation with foreign companies that have a high international standing is of great importance in the search for promising uranium fields and expanding the scope of geological exploration works. For example, joint exploration with the Japanese companies “JOGMEG” and “ITOCHU” is making a significant contribution not only financially, but also to technological development. In particular, research works at the “Zhasaga” field was carried out at the high level of international standards.
Geophysical research works were carried out in drilled wells, as well as geological documentation and sampling of cores taken from wells, geological servicing of drilling equipment.
Uzbek uranium is of the highest quality in the world and is an important resource for nuclear energy. Reforms and research in recent years have led to significant achievements in increasing uranium reserves, exploring new fields, and modernizing mining processes.
The Center faces a number of important tasks in the future. In particular, expanding the uranium mineral raw material base to 100,000 tons by 2030, introducing new technologies and continuing digitalization, expanding programs for training young personnel and integrating the industry with science, and attracting investments through expanding international cooperation ties.
All of this will serve to strengthen Uzbekistan’s influence in the energy sector and strengthen its position in the international market.
Director of scientific production center
“Geology of Uranium and Rare Metals” Zafar Rakhimov