Jordan says it holds around 42,000 tons of uranium, enough for 80 years

AMMAN, Jordan — Jordan has announced that it holds approximately 42,000 tons of uranium reserves, an amount officials say could meet the country's needs for around 80 years. The figure was disclosed at a press briefing in the capital by Khaled Toukan, head of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission. Toukan said global uranium prices had risen from $18 to $86 per pound over the past four years, strengthening the economic viability of Jordan's mining and extraction projects. He added that Jordan plans to move toward neutron transmutation technologies, which he said can convert materials used in semiconductor production and open new opportunities for advanced-technology industries. On production, Toukan said the country had processed 1,500 tons of ore to obtain 150 kilograms of yellowcake, the concentrated powder derived from natural uranium ore before refining and enrichment in the nuclear fuel cycle. He set an annual production target of 500 tons and said Jordan also plans to build nuclear power reactors with an operational life of 80 years. Toukan said Jordan aims to move beyond exporting yellowcake by building strategic partnerships to add value domestically, adding that the reserves position the country within the nuclear energy sector. No further details on the timeline or partnerships were immediately available.