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Jordan sees uranium as key for sustainable growth

Monday, 10 March 2025

Jordan is working on a feasibility study that will support its efforts to secure funding for commercial-scale uranium mining, according to the head of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission's investment arm.

In an interview with The Jordan Times, Mohammad Shannag, general manager of the Jordan Uranium Mining Company (JUMCO), said the memorandum of understanding and cooperation it signed with Kazakhstan's national atomic company Kazatomprom in February will be pivotal for Jordan to accelerate its vision of becoming a future uranium supplier. The agreement was signed during an official visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Jordan and focuses on the joint study of uranium exploration and mining projects in Jordan in order to assess their potential for further development.

According to the 2022 edition of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency joint report on uranium resources, production and demand - known as the 'Red Book' - Jordan has some 62,000 tU of inferred uranium resources. Around 42,000 tU of ore at an average grade of 150 ppm is found in carbonaceous rocks and phosphatic deposits in central Jordan, and the shallow depth of these ores reduces excavation costs significantly, Shannag said, while uranium-bearing phosphatic rocks in areas like Al Hasa, Al Qatrana, Al Shidya, Al Risha, and Al Ruwaished hold an estimated 200,000 tonnes of uranium oxide, with significant unexplored potential. "These deposits, combined with our ongoing exploration efforts, position Jordan as a future uranium supplier."

Jordan intends to produce yellowcake domestically, rather than exporting ore for processing elsewhere, in line with national strategy to create high-value industries and jobs, Shannag said. A pilot plant at Swaqa in central Jordan became operational in 2021. "The company is now testing heap leaching technology to process hundreds of tonnes of carbonaceous uranium ores, aiming to produce over 100 kilogrammes of yellowcake per heap leaching operation. These trials will provide essential data for scaling up to commercial production," Shannag said.

A bankable feasibility study to determine the expected return on investment and secure funding for commercial-scale mining is being prepared. This will guide strategic decisions, he said, and help secure financing from potential funding sources including local and international loans, financial support from global institutions like the World Bank, and private sector investments from mining companies. "The sharp rise in global uranium prices has attracted interest from regional and international companies, making Jordan's uranium sector a promising investment opportunity," he added.

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Kazakhstan, Jordan team up for uranium studies
Kazakhstan's national atomic company Kazatomprom has signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation with Jordan Uranium Mining Company.

19 February 2025

The document - signed during an official visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Jordan - focuses on the joint study of uranium exploration and mining projects in Jordan in order to assess their potential for further development.

This initiative, Kazatomprom said, is aimed at refining geological characteristics and resources estimates of the deposits considering the heap leaching mining technology. Significant emphasis will be placed on environmental sustainability and economic feasibility of the project when evaluating the potential for its implementation, it added.

"Implementation of joint projects opens up promising opportunities for Jordan's nuclear industry, including new labour market opportunities, infrastructure development, and engagement of local contractors," Kazatomprom noted. "For Kazakhstan, the world's leading uranium producer, entering a new market could be a significant step toward expanding its global presence, strengthening strategic positions, and enhancing bilateral economic ties with Jordan."

It added: "Knowledge exchange, adoption of new technologies, and collaborative efforts to improve industry standards will establish a strong and sustainable foundation for the development of the uranium sector in both countries."

Kazatomprom CEO Meirzhan Yussupov said: "Partnership with Jordan Uranium Mining Company (JUMCO) opens new avenues for international cooperation and strengthens Kazakhstan's position in the global uranium industry, supporting our strategic goals to expand and efficiently utilise our resource base. Furthermore, potential development of projects beyond Kazakhstan presents a unique opportunity to gain global expertise and contribute to the sustainable development of our nations."

"This memorandum aims to develop joint uranium mining projects in Jordan and sets the potential stage for JUMCO to accelerate its pace toward commercial production of uranium in Jordan through cooperation with Kazatomprom," said JUMCO General Manager Mohammad Al-Shannag. "Indeed, it will pave the ground for JUMCO to facilitate knowledge exchange, share experience and marketing techniques with Kazatomprom, a world leader in uranium production."

JUMCO is the commercial arm of the Jordanian Atomic Energy Commission and was established in 2013 to carry out radioactive elements exploration and development in Jordan. Its exploration and development efforts have been focused on the Central Jordan Uranium Project, where a pilot plant began operation in early 2021. JUMCO later that year said the plant was fully operational.

According to the 2022 edition of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency joint report on uranium resources, production and demand - known as the 'Red Book' - Jordan has 62,000 tU as inferred resources. The total includes 33,300 tU JORC-compliant in central Jordan, and an estimated 28,700 tU in the Hasa-Qatrana area. Some 100,000 tU is estimated in phosphate deposits as a possible by-product.

Attaque meurtrière en Jordanie: Washington promet des représailles "conséquentes"

AFP•29/01/2024

Jordan Explores Alternatives to Israeli Gas Amid Supply Concerns

by Bloomberg|Mohammad Tayseer|Monday, November 27, 2023

Jordan is exploring alternatives to natural gas supplies from Israel amid concerns of a possible interruption, state-run Al Mamlaka TV cited Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh saying on Sunday.

Jordan has spoken with two countries in the Arabian Gulf that expressed readiness in meeting the country’s gas demands if needed, Khasawneh said.

While the gas deal between US company Noble and the National Electric Power Company under which Jordan gets Israeli gas is “not on the table for cancellation,” there are concerns over a potential disruption of gas coming from the Leviathan field in the Mediterranean Sea, Khasawneh said.

“We have not seen any signs that this will happen,” he said. “But Jordan is planning for various scenarios and possibilities amid ongoing aggression and war on the Gaza Strip.”

Jordan has explored a number of alternatives that have higher financial costs.

One such alternative would cost 45 million dinars ($63 million) a month if Jordan switches to importing LNG and another will cost 115 million dinars per month if the country switches to diesel, Khasawneh said.

La Jordanie dit qu'elle ne signera pas d'accord sur l'énergie et l'eau avec Israël

AFP le 16 nov. 2023

La Jordanie a averti jeudi qu'elle ne signerait pas un accord prévu avec Israël sur un échange d'énergie solaire contre de l'eau, en raison de la guerre dans la bande de Gaza, selon son ministre des Affaires étrangères, Ayman Safadi.

"L'accord de l'énergie contre de l'eau devait être conclu le mois dernier, mais nous n'allons pas le signer", a déclaré le ministre dans une interview à la chaîne qatarie Al-Jazeera.

"Pouvez-vous imaginer un ministre jordanien assis à côté d'un ministre israélien pour signer un accord, pendant qu'Israël tue les nôtres à Gaza?" "Ce que fait Israël, a créé un climat de haine avec lequel il ne peut y avoir de relations pacifiques normales", a ajouté M. Safadi.

La Jordanie et Israël avaient convenu en novembre 2021 à Dubaï d'un accord devant permettre au royaume hachémite de fournir de l'énergie solaire à Israël, qui livrera en échange de l'eau désalinisée à son voisin, en grande partie désertique, selon une déclaration d'intention signée par les deux pays.

Le document, préparé sous l'égide des Etats-Unis, avait été signé par des ministres des deux pays.

La Jordanie, qui partage sa frontière avec Israël et la Cisjordanie, un territoire palestinien occupé par Israël depuis 1967, a signé en 1994 un traité de paix avec Israël.

Depuis le début de la guerre entre Israël et le Hamas le 7 octobre, plusieurs manifestations de solidarité avec les Palestiniens ont eu lieu à Amman pour réclamer l'annulation du traité de paix et la fermeture de l'ambassade israélienne.

La Jordanie a rappelé début novembre son ambassadeur en Israël pour protester contre l'offensive militaire israélienne dans la bande de Gaza, déclenchée après une attaque sanglante perpétrée le 7 octobre par le Hamas palestinien sur le sol israélien.

phyvette a écrit : ↑

30 oct. 2023, 18:43

L'Iran ne lancera jamais des missiles de l'Iran vers Israël, les Mollah ne sont pas suicidaires.

phyvette a écrit : ↑

30 oct. 2023, 18:43

Si l'Iran veut vraiment bombarder Israël, il leur suffit de tirer avec un faux-nez depuis le sud Liban ou le sud de la Syrie.

phyvette a écrit : ↑

30 oct. 2023, 10:18

Mais ils veulent des missiles Patriot pour se défendre contre qui ?
La Jordanie, on ne lui connait pas d'ennemis, si ?

La Jordanie demande à Washington de déployer des missiles de défense Patriot

REUTERS•29/10/2023


La Jordanie, alliée des États-Unis, a demandé à Washington de déployer des systèmes de défense antiaérienne Patriot pour renforcer sa protection frontalière alors que les tensions dans la région s'intensifient, a déclaré dimanche le porte-parole de l'armée jordanienne.

"Nous avons demandé à la partie américaine de nous aider à renforcer notre système de défense avec des systèmes de missiles de défense aérienne Patriot", a déclaré le général de brigade Mustafa Hiyari, porte-parole de l'armée jordanienne, à la télévision d'État.
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IAEA assesses Jordanian plans for SMR deployment

06 October 2023

An International Atomic Energy Agency expert mission has concluded that reports compiled by the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission will provide a good basis for a feasibility study into the country's use of small modular reactors for electricity generation and seawater desalination.

Jordan is considering using a small modular reactor (SMR) to provide the electricity to operate a reverse osmosis desalination plant, as well as to pump an estimated 300 million cubic metres of drinking water each year from the Red Sea coast to the capital Amman, about 400 kilometres away and 700 metres above sea level.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert review mission, held at its Vienna headquarters in August 2023, comprised 18 IAEA and three external experts. It evaluated whether reports submitted by Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) include all the necessary information to support the decision-making for deploying an SMR for power generation and desalination. Areas covered by the review included nuclear power technology and safety, siting and licensing, nuclear desalination, nuclear law and stakeholder engagement, among others.

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Solar in exchange for desalinated water
Israel and Jordan have agreed to pair 600 MW of solar with an undisclosed amount of storage. The deal, which was brokered by the United Arab Emirates at COP27, will see Jordan provide electricity to Israel in exchange for desalinated water.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 BEATRIZ SANTOS


An Emirati company will reportedly build the 600 MW “Prosperity Green” solar project, which Jordan will use to provide solar energy to Israel, in exchange for 200 million cubic meters of annual desalinated water supplies.

The two nations signed an initial memorandum of understanding last November to signal their intent to build the solar project. They have since worked on feasibility studies and now aim “to develop the necessary implements in plans in time for COP28,” according to a statement by the Israeli Ministry of Energy.

Israeli Energy Minister Karine Elharrar described the project as “a geopolitical, economic and environmental” initiative that opens a “new page in relations” with Jordan. Iswai Farij, the Israeli minister of regional cooperation, also described the project as part of a “legacy of cross-border regional cooperation.”

“[It] creates hope for the entire region, when countries join together to promote optimal utilization of natural resources,” said Farij.

Jordan announces uranium production
13 May 2022

The Jordan Uranium Mining Company (JUMCO) has announced the production of 20 kg of yellowcake from 160 tonnes of uranium ore at a newly operational processing facility.


JUMCO's facility is now producing yellowcake (Image: JAEC)

State news agency Petra reported the achievement, citing JUMCO General Director Muhammad Shunnaq who said the factory is set to produce "tens of kilograms" of yellowcake from the processing of "hundreds of tons" of ore over the next few months. Production is being carried out in in accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards, he said.

JUMCO is the commercial arm of the Jordanian Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) and was established in 2013 to carry out radioactive elements exploration and development in Jordan. Its exploration and development efforts have been focused on the Central Jordan Uranium Project, where a pilot plant began operation in early 2021. JUMCO later that year said the plant was fully operational.

According to the 2020 edition of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency joint report on uranium resources, production and demand - known as the 'Red Book' - Jordan has 62,000 tU as inferred resources, including 33,300 tU of JORC-compliant resources in central Jordan.

Israel, Jordan sign deal to swap solar power for water

ByJules Scully November 24, 2021

Israel and Jordan are set to swap solar power for desalinated water after the two countries signed a declaration of intent earlier this week.

The agreement will see Jordan build solar PV plants with a total capacity of 600MW that will export output to neighbouring Israel, with feasibility studies due to start next year.

Israel, meanwhile, will provide up to 200 million cubic meters of desalinated water to Jordan, which is the second most water-scarce country in the world, according to the UN.
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Locally-made panels used in 50 MW Jordanian solar project
The Al Husainiyah solar plant, 200km south of Jordanian capital Amman, began commercial operations a week ago with more than 200,000 panels manufactured by 30% joint owner Philadelphia Solar.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 MAX HALL
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