Samruk-Kazyna and France’s Orano discuss joint projects outside KazakhstanThe leadership of Kazakhstan’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna has held a meeting with Orano Group Chief Operating Officer Nicolas Maes to discuss expanded cooperation through KATCO LLP, a Kazakh-French uranium joint venture, Samruk-Kazyna said in a press release on Wednesday.“The parties discussed the operations of KATCO JV. The French side proposed expanding cooperation, including through implementation of joint strategic projects outside Kazakhstan,” the press release says.Kazakh Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev said earlier that Kazakhstan and France were expected to agree on the expansion of uranium deposit development in Kazakhstan through KATCO JV during President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Astana.KATCO LLP, a joint venture of Orano Mining JSC (51%) and National Atomic Company Kazatomprom (49%), specializes in uranium production through in situ recovery methods at the Muyunkum deposit in the Turkistan region.In December 2022, Kazatomprom and Orano Mining signed a memorandum of cooperation in the nuclear industry. This collaboration was established during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's official visit to France and is focused on advancing the KATCO joint venture.Kazatomprom, a government-controlled company, is involved in various aspects of the nuclear industry. This includes mining uranium, processing rare metals, and making and marketing beryllium and tantalum products. By the end of 2022, Kazatomprom estimated that it accounted for about 22% of the global uranium market. Kazakhstan is a significant supplier of uranium, meeting over 45% of the world's nuclear energy needs each year.Orano, formerly known as Areva, is a major French multinational corporation and a key player in the production of nuclear fuel on a global scale. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX