HELPING TO POWER THE WORLD

KATCO, one of the largest and technically advanced uranium mining companies using the In-Situ Recovery (ISR) technology, was established in 1996 thanks to cooperation between the French state-owned company Orano and Kazakhstani National Atomic Company Kazatomprom.

KATCO develops and operates uranium deposits, produces and sells uranium oxide (U3O8). The Company operates two processing plants at Tortkuduk and Muyunkum sites.

The processing plant at Muyunkum site produces eluate, a solution with high concentration of uranium, which is transported to the processing plant at Tortkuduk site where the finished product - uranium oxide (U3O8) – is produced.

The processing plant at Tortkuduk site is considered one of the largest and most technically advanced facilities in the world. The plant has one of the largest calciners in the country, which produces uranium oxide (U3O8) used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity.

Orano, as a recognized international operator in the field of nuclear materials, Orano delivers solutions to address present and future global energy and health challenges. Its expertise and mastery of cutting-edge technologies enable Orano to offer its customers high value-added products and services throughout the entire fuel cycle.

Kazatomprom is the world's largest uranium producer. Together with its subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures, Kazatomprom develops 26 deposits, which are united into 14 uranium mining enterprises. All of them are located in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Mining is conducted using the ISR technology, with a focus on maintaining industry-leading health, safety and environment standards.

More about Orano

More about Kazatomprom

URANIUM DEPOSITS IN KAZAKHSTAN

Uranium reserves and resources on the territory of Kazakhstan are counted to more than 700 thousand tons, or about 14% of the total world volume. Kazakhstan is the second country in the world in terms of explored uranium reserves.

In 2009, Kazakhstan has become the largest uranium producer and continues to maintain its leading position in the global market, accounting for 40% of the world production.

Uranium mining in Kazakhstan is carried out exclusively by In-Situ Recovery (ISR). All uranium mined in the country is exported to the global market: France, China, Russia, Canada and other countries.

1996 – Foundation of KATCO
2000 – Construction of a pilot plant at Muyunkum site
2004 – Transition to the industrial phase and construction of infrastructure
2006 – Start-up of the processing plant at Muyunkum site
2007 – Start-up of the processing plant at the Tortkuduk site
2008 – Shareholders sign an agreement to increase the production capacity
2009 – KATCO becomes the world's largest ISR uranium producer
2010 – Launch of the Fast Track project on expansion of production capacity
2013 – KATCO reaches production capacity of 4000 tons of uranium per year
2016 – KATCO produces its 30,000th ton of uranium
2019 – KATCO produces its 40,000th ton of t uranium
2022 – KATCO receives a mining license to develop the new South Tortkuduk site