New Uranium Mining Projects - Jordan 
(last updated 1 Nov 2011)
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Operating Mines ·
Decommissioning Projects ·
Legislation & Regulations
> See also Data for:
Deposits, Proposed and Active Mines ·
Old Mines and Decommissioning
> See also Uranium Recovery from Phosphates
In Jordan, uranium prospection/exploration is being performed by
Rio Tinto,
Areva,
CNNC,
Gippsland Ltd. 
Rio Tinto withdraws from uranium prospecting in southern Jordan
One of the largest mining companies in the world has withdrawn from uranium prospecting in the southern region, citing unsatisfactory initial exploration results, the Kingdom's state-run energy firm announced on Tuesday (Apr. 19).
British-Australian firm Rio Tinto brought to an end to over a year of exploration in the Wadi Sahra Abyad area in the Southern Badia last month after deeming uranium deposits in the region as commercially unviable, a top executive at the Jordan Energy Resources Inc. (JERI) said.
Despite the energy giant's withdrawal, JERI insists that the area deserves further study and has since taken over exploration activities in the area, JERI Director Fakhri Al Daghestani told reporters.
Meanwhile, JERI announced the initial results of ongoing exploration in the Al Hassa area - some 250 kilometres south of the capital - which indicate the region may yield "at least" 15,000 tonnes of uranium at an average concentration of 160 parts per million (ppm), a level believed to be economically feasible for mining purposes.
According to Daghestani, JERI approached the Prime Ministry last month in order to appropriate the nine-square-kilometre plot in order to continue exploration efforts.
Initial studies carried out by the Natural Resources Authority in the 1970s placed the potential uranium reserves in the central region at 37,000 tonnes, a number that revised to 62,000 tonnes in 2007 after the minimum concentration limits was lowered from 200ppm to 100ppm in line with advancements in mining technology.
In addition to a French-Jordanian team, a Chinese firm is currently exploring potential uranium reserves in the eastern edge of the Kingdom.
(Jordan Times Apr. 20, 2011)
"Promising uranium finds" made in Jordan
Officials have made promising uranium finds in Al Hassa, adding to the country's potential strategic reserves to fuel its nuclear programme, according to the Jordan Atomic Energy Agency Commission (JAEC).
In a public seminar on Tuesday (Dec. 14), JAEC Chairman Khaled Toukan said recent finds in the west and south of the country will bolster the nuclear power programme.
In ongoing exploration efforts in Al Hassa, Jordan Energy Resources Inc. (JERI) has discovered uranium deposits of around 190 parts per million, up to 400 parts per million in the area, some 250 kilometres south of Amman.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that the Jordanian French Uranium Mining Company, a joint venture of AREVA and JERI, have dug 3,500 boreholes in the central region and have found most uranium deposits near surface level.
Initial exploration efforts have confirmed that at least 70,000 metric tonnes of mineable uranium exist in the central region, he said, with expectations to surpass the number once the Jordanian-French team move on to other sections of the 1,600-square-kilometre concession area.
Toukan also underlined the potential to convert 140,000 tonnes of uranium from the country's phosphates reserves.
"If we extract half of it, this will suffice us for the next 100 years," he noted.
In the Southern Badia, Australian British firm Rio Tinto has discovered that uranium deposits can be found as deep as 25-30 metres below surface level.
(Jordan Times Dec. 15, 2010)
Jordan signs agreement on nuclear cooperation and uranium exploration with Japan
Jordan on Friday (Sep. 10) signed a cooperation agreement with Japan on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the chairman of Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, Khalid Toukan, said.
The accord covers the fields of uranium exploration, nuclear reactor construction, protection against nuclear radiation and the management of nuclear waste, Toukan said.
It was the ninth such agreement signed by Jordan with advanced countries with a view to exploiting nuclear technology in the generation of power in order to cut energy bills.
Jordan is seeking a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States, but talks have been stalled by US opposition to Jordan's production of uranium from local resources, Toukan said.
Jordan and other Arab countries have shown increased interest in developing their own nuclear programmes after Iran's progress in developing nuclear technology.
(Monsters and Critics Sep 10, 2010)
Areva, Jordan sign uranium-development agreement
Areva SA, the world's biggest maker of reactors, agreed to explore and extract uranium in Jordan as the country pursues its first nuclear power plant.
Jordan's joint chief of staff and Areva director Thierry D'Arbonneau signed the uranium-development agreement today (July 27), according to Jordan's state news agency.
(Bloomberg July 27, 2010)
Jordan, Algeria sign nuclear energy cooperation deal, including uranium mining
> View here
CNNC expects to deliver first uranium from Jordan in 2010
China National Nuclear Corporation General Manager Kang Rixin expects that the first batch of uranium from Jordanian resources will be transported home in 2010; the total quantity probably will be 700 tons.
(Caijing Magazine July 5, 2009)
Russia signs nuclear cooperation agreement with Jordan, including development of uranium deposits
On 22 May 2009, Russia and Jordan have signed an inter-governmental agreement for cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The agreement is aimed at creating a firm legal basis for Russian-Jordani cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy and covers a wide range of activities including:
1. Engineering and construction of commercial and research nuclear reactors, water desalination plants and accelerators;
2. Prospecting and development of uranium deposits;
3. Nuclear fuel cycle services, supply of nuclear fuel from Russia and return of spent fuel;
among others.
(Nuclear Engineering International May 22, 2009)
Positive feasibility study on Jordan's potential to produce uranium from phosphate
The SNC-Lavalin Group of Canada has recommended the extraction of uranium from phosphate ores in Jordan to fuel the nuclear reactors the country plans to set up, Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) President Khaled Toukan said March 2, 2009.
'The feasibility study conducted by SNC-Lavalin has come up with very positive results as to Jordan's potential to produce uranium from phosphate ores,' Toukan said.
(Middle East News Mar 2, 2009)
Jordan signs nuclear accord with China on uranium exploration
On Aug. 19, 2008, Jordan signed a memorandum of understanding on nuclear cooperation with China.
The two countries will work together to explore for and mine uranium in Jordan and may also build a nuclear reactor, Khalid Touqan, the head of the Jordan Nuclear Energy Commission said.
The agreement, similar to ones signed with France and the UK, intends to help Jordan, which imports almost all its energy needs, develop a nuclear program to generate electricity and power water-desalination plants.
The country has uranium reserves estimated at 140,000 tons, according to Touqan.
(Business Intelligence Middle East Aug. 20, 2008)
On Nov. 24, 2008, Jordan and China signed an executive protocol for the nuclear cooperation agreement the two countries signed in August, according to Jordan Nuclear Energy Commission (JNEC) President Khalid Touqan.
The protocol focuses on cooperation in the areas of mining and enriching uranium in two areas in the Kingdom, as well as collaboration in the field of training and related research.
(Jordan Times Nov. 25, 2008)
Jordan signs nuclear accord with Romania on uranium mining
Jordan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Romania on nuclear cooperation. Under the MoU, Romania will assist Jordan to design, and operate the Jordanian uranium reactor. Moreover, the MoU includes, among others, cooperation in the areas of mining and processing of raw material of uranium in Jordan.
(Petra Nov. 14, 2008)
Jordan, Britain agree on civilian nuclear cooperation, including uranium exploration and mining
On June 29, 2008, the governments of Jordan and Britain signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) Khalid Touqan said.
Britain promised to put its nuclear know-how at the disposal of the JAEC for the exploration and mining of uranium ores in Jordan. It also promised to provide nuclear reactors in Jordan to ensure a stable nuclear fuel service at feasible prices, Touqan said.
(The Earthtimes June 29, 2008)
Feasibility study underway for uranium extraction from phosphates
A feasibility study for the creation of the Kingdom's first uranium manufacturing facility is under way, due to be completed in seven months, a top executive concerned with the project said.
Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) Chairman and CEO Walid Kurdi told The Jordan Times an international company is undertaking the probe into the extraction of uranium from phosphoric acid manufactured by JPMC's fertilisers plant.
"The study will identify the best technologies of uranium extraction from phosphoric acid, set the engineering designs of the facility and determine the total capital and operational cost of the facility," Kurdi added.
The Jordanian phosphate used in manufacturing phosphoric acid contains about 50-100 parts per million (ppm) of uranium that can be extracted via modern technological methods.
French nuclear manufacturer Areva will be given the chance to extract an estimated 130,000 tonnes of uranium from the country's 1.2 billion tonnes of phosphate reserves and build a nuclear reactor.
(The Jordan Times, June 17, 2008)
Jordan, France sign deal on help with nuclear energy and uranium extraction
On May 30, 2008, Jordan and France signed an agreement to help the Arab kingdom develop its nuclear energy program.
France will also train Jordanian nuclear scientists and help in uranium extraction, according to the agreement. Uranium is abundant in the desert country.
(AP May 30, 2008)
On Aug. 27, 2008, AREVA and the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) signed a memorandum of understanding in the mining business, providing for their creation of a joint venture for the exploration of uranium resources in the Central Jordan province.
A mining convention will be drawn up for the exploration and exploitation stages of the project.
(Areva Aug. 27, 2008)
On Feb. 21, 2010, Jordan and Areva signed a mining agreement for the uranium resources in the region of Central Jordan. This announcement follows the initial agreement signed between Areva and JAEC in October 2008 for the joint exploration of the zone.
Under the terms of the mining agreement, Areva has been granted the right to mine the deposit for 25 years.
(Areva Feb. 21, 2010)
Jordan to float tender for construction of first uranium mine
On May 15, 2008, Prime Minister Nader Dahabi said the government will sign cooperative agreements with international companies specialised in uranium extraction by the end of 2008 in order to develop the Kingdom's nuclear energy programme.
The premier said the Kingdom's estimated uranium reserves amount to around 70,000 tonnes and are worth $7 billion.
Meanwhile, Jordan Nuclear Energy Commission (JNEC) President Khalid Touqan announced on May 15, 2008, that the JNEC will float an international tender to invite bids for the design and construction of the country's first uranium mine by the end of 2008, to be operational by 2012.
Touqan added that the government intends to form a strategic partnership with leading international companies in the fields of uranium extraction and utilisation.
(Jordan Times May 16, 2008)
Jordan planning to exploit uranium deposits
The Kingdom of Jordan is planning to exploit its uranium deposits to provide the raw material for nuclear reactor fuel and has already requested bids from three international companies to extract the uranium available in six areas.
In addition, uranium resources available in the country's phosphate deposits are a subject of negotiations with Canadian SNC-Lavalin International , Jordan Nuclear Energy Commission (JNEC) President Khalid Touqan said.
He estimated these uranium deposits at around 130,000 tonnes, with a mine to be constructed by the end of the year 2008 and start production by 2012.
(Jordan Times May 9, 2008)
France to get access to Jordan's uranium resources
Jordan is very close to signing a deal with France whereby the first gets a nuclear reactor in seven years while the latter gets access to uranium resources, an informed Jordanian government source said.
Remarks to this effect were quoted by Al-Arab Al-Yawm paper on April 13, 2008, and the source is said to have indicated the deal came after talks with two companies, a British and a French company, and the details of the deal signed with the French company would be announced at a later time.
According to the source, some USD 1.5 billion worth of uranium material would be extracted virtue of this deal, the bulk of which is to finance purchase of the peaceful-purpose nuclear reactor and the rest to go to the treasury.
(Kuwait News Agency Apr. 13, 2008)
Kazakhstan assists Jordan with development of uranium deposits
According to a protocol signed at the occasion of the 2nd Kazakh-Jordanian Intergovernmental Commission's sitting on trade-economic and cultural and humanitarian cooperation in Astana, cooperation in the sphere of development of uranium deposits in Jordan will be continued.
(Kazinform Aug. 8, 2007)
Jordan says it has the uranium needed for its nuclear program
Jordan said the country possessed the uranium needed to develop its newly announced nuclear energy program but cautioned that it still requires the necessary legislation and manpower to pursue the technology.
Jordan's energy czar Khaled al-Shraydeh told the official Petra news agency that the country is estimated to have 80,000 tons of uranium. He added that the country's phosphate reserves also contain some 100,000 tons of uranium.
(AP May 5, 2007)
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AREVA announces 12,000 tonnes of potential uranium resources in central Jordan
The Jordanian French Uranium Mining Company (JFUMC), a joint venture of Jordan Energy Resources Inc. and French AREVA announced that at mid 2011, some 12,300 tons of potential uranium resources have already been identified over an 18 km2 area in central Jordan since 2009, has performed intensive exploration activities in the Central Jordan license.
After this exploration phase, technical and economical studies will be conducted in 2012 to assess the feasibility of a uranium extraction program within the license.
(Petra Oct. 31, 2011)
Jordan to produce uranium 'within two years'
According to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Khaled Toukan, the Kingdom is set to start uranium mining activities in the central region by 2013 pending the conclusion of feasibility studies later this year.
The Jordanian-French Uranium Mining Company, a joint venture comprising the Jordanian government and French firm AREVA, is to construct an open-pit mine in the central region some 50 kilometres south of the capital, which, according to initial surveys, is home to at least 65,000-70,000 tonnes of mineable uranium ore.
(Jordan Times Sep. 23, 2011)
Areva on the passing lane again, now with Swaqa uranium mine project in Jordan
Working 24 hours a day in 12-hour shifts, 46 Jordanians and nine French nationals have dug 29 trenches to accelerate the uranium mine development process, which often takes up to 15 years, to clear the way for mining activities as early as 2012, according to Jordanian-French Uranium Mining Company (JFUMC) General Manager Gilles Recoche.
"This project is important to AREVA and we recognise its importance to the country of Jordan," he told The Jordan Times, noting that the central Jordan project has the highest exploration budget of all AREVA activities in 32 countries, accounting for some 15 per cent of the French firm's exploration funds.
Within the fertile zone, uranium is found near the surface level at an average grade of 400 parts per million, or grammes of uranium per tonne, results have shown. Lower-grade uranium at various concentrations is found at depths as low as 90 metres below ground, according to the company, another positive indicator for future drilling.
(Jordan Times Oct. 21, 2009; emphasis added)
Feasibility study for Areva-Jordanian JV uranium mine and mill to be completed by end 2009
On Oct. 3, 2009, King Abdullah visited the project of the AREVA/Jordanian-French Uranium Mining Company (JFUMC) in Swaqa, where he was briefed on the progress of the project for mining uranium, which is currently in its second phase.
Launched in September 2008, the project covers an area of 1,469 square kilometres.
The project feasibility studies are expected to be completed by the end of this year. After that, the actual planning to build a uranium extracting mine will begin, Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) Chairman Khaled Toukan added.
(Jordan Times Oct. 4, 2009)
Feasibility study for Areva-Jordanian JV uranium mine and mill to be completed by end 2010
The Jordanian-French Uranium Mining Company has expanded its exploration of uranium in the central region, after recent studies confirmed the presence of commercially viable amounts of the resource.
The company has been exploring a 1,400-square-kilometre site in the centre of the Kingdom since October 2008 and is expected to complete feasibility studies by the end of 2010, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
Jordan Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Khaled Toukan confirmed that recent studies have been positive and indicate that there are large amounts of uranium in commercial quantities, in addition to the presence of uranium at greater depths.
The Jordanian-French uranium mining company is a partnership between the Jordan Energy Company and the French nuclear company Areva.
(Jordan Times 5 July 2009)