Jordan sees uranium as key for sustainable growth

Monday, 10 March 2025

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. 

Water scarcity is an important consideration in Jordan: according to World Nuclear Association, its demand for water outstrips supply by some 600 million cubic metres per year. The plan is to use treated brackish groundwater for mining, and minimise water consumption from mining and processing activities. "This water is unsuitable for human consumption, but with proper treatment, it can be used in our operations," Shannag said. "Industrial water recycling technologies will also be implemented to maximise efficiency and reduce overall water consumption."

International Atomic Energy Agency standards will be adhered to, with heap leaching residues treated and stored securely, away from groundwater and surface water sources, and strict environmental monitoring to prevent contamination of soil, air and water.

JUMCO is also working to develop its workforce, and is actively developing local expertise to minimise reliance on foreign professionals, Shannag said. Training programmes including fieldwork at mining sites and partnerships with international institutions like the IAEA and mining training organisations "aim to equip Jordanian youth with the skills needed to manage our uranium resources efficiently and sustainably,” he said. "By fostering local talent, Jordan aims to strengthen its capacity to achieve its nuclear energy ambitions independently."