The in-house Strana Rosatom publication says the hydrometallurgical plant for processing uranium and uranium-molybdenum ores from the Argunskoye and Zherlovoe deposits is to be established in Krasnokamensk.
It says that "in addition to ores from the Argunskoye and Zherlovoye mines, the plant is planned to process concentrates from other Russian and international Rosatom deposits".
Supporting infrastructure for the new facility and project surveys have been conducted, it adds. It does not mention a timescale for construction of what will be the biggest such facility in Russia.
"Rosatom's Mining Division emphasises that the new plant is being designed with end-to-end digitalisation of the production cycle in mind, as well as modern automated and robotic systems," according to Strana Rosatom. "The introduction of robotics is aimed at minimising direct worker exposure to hazardous substances and reducing the amount of manual labour."
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, funding for uranium exploration has increased six-fold this year and "the creation of new production capacities is aimed at establishing a reliable fuel supply base for Rosatom's projects in Russia and abroad, as well as meeting the future needs of its partners amid growing demand for nuclear power generation".
According to information from World Nuclear Association, Russia produced 2,738 tonnes of uranium in 2024, making it the sixth largest producer. Kazakhstan is the largest uranium producer, with 23,270 tonnes of uranium in 2024, followed by Canada, with 14,309 tonnes.
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