Jordan to Build $141 Million Uranium Processing Plant

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The Jordanian government is planning a $141 million uranium processing plant near the central Jordan area. The project will be executed through the state-owned Jordan Uranium Mining Company (JUMCO).

The region, about 80 kilometers south of the capital Amman, is estimated to hold more than 36,000 tons of uranium oxide that can be extracted cost-effectively. The planned facility is expected to have an initial annual processing capacity of 300 to 400 tons. In the future, the capacity could be expanded to 1,500 tons annually.

JUMCO General Manager Samer Kahook said that the government is looking for a strategic partner for the development of the plant before the end of this year. The government will hold the majority stake in the venture.

"The design and the engineering works on the plant are expected to start in the next couple of years, and in four to five years from now the plant is expected to go operational gradually," Kahook said.

The uranium extracted through the plant will be either sold on the international market, or enriched abroad and brought back to Jordan to be used by its planned nuclear reactor.

Through the development of nuclear power, the government intends to eliminate $2 billion of spending on diesel and heavy fuel purchases for power generation.

JUMCO estimates that the uranium resources in the central region are expected to increase to nearly 66,000 tons. The company is undertaking an additional exploration program in the 350-square-kilometer area.

For related information see November 5, 2013, article - Skeptics Voice Concerns as Jordan Pushes Construction of First Nuclear Plant, and November 1, 2013, article - Jordan Selects Russia's Rosatom to Build First 2,000 Megawatt Nuclear Plant.

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