Jordanian Uranium Mining Company’s yellowcake plant fully operational — Toukan

AMMAN — Chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission Khaled Toukan on Saturday said that the Jordanian Uranium Mining Company has operated its pioneering plant to extract yellowcake from uranium ores since the start of 2021, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

In addition to the exploration of uranium in the centre of the Kingdom, the Jordanian nuclear programme consists of the Jordanian Nuclear Reactor Project for Research and Training, which began in 2016, and the Nuclear Power Plant Project, to produce electricity and desalinate seawater. Both of these projects are currently ongoing, according to Toukan. 

He pointed out that the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Research and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) began receiving international researchers in 2018 to conduct research using synchrotron light.

He stressed that all of the institute’s scientific achievements have been achieved thanks to the support of His Majesty King Abdullah. 

General Manager of the Uranium Mining Company Mohammad Shunnaq said that over the past year the company has undertaken the design and installation of a factory for the production of yellow cake. He highlighted the company’s successful operation of a crude agglomeration line despite the exceptional circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Shunnaq also highlighted that the operation of the pilot plant has produced 70 tonnes of ore.

Pertaining to the development and training of human resources, he said that the company runs training programmes in the fields of uranium exploration, extraction processes, physical and chemical analysis, environmental conservation studies and data analysis.

He pointed out that the company trained more than 100 individuals from professional associations and Jordanian universities, as well as from the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy in Saudi Arabia.