Rosatom launches pilot uranium plant in Tanzania
A subsidiary of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom has commissioned a pilot uranium processing plant at the Mkuju River project in southern Tanzania, marking a significant milestone for the country’s emerging nuclear minerals sector.
Built by Mantra Tanzania Ltd, a Rosatom subsidiary, the facility is located at the Nyota deposit in the Ruvuma region. It aims to test uranium processing technologies and gather operational data to guide the design of a main processing plant with a projected annual capacity of up to 3,000 tonnes of uranium. Construction of the main plant is expected to begin in early 2026, with commissioning slated for 2029.
Global player in clean energy supply chain
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who officiated the commissioning ceremony, hailed the project as a “landmark achievement,” saying it positions Tanzania as a future top-10 uranium producer and a player in the global clean energy supply chain.
The Tanzanian government holds a 20% stake in the project, which is expected to generate $40 million in annual dividends and create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, according to the Ministry of Minerals. The project is seen as a catalyst for attracting foreign investment, advancing clean energy goals, and supporting technological development.
Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev emphasized the corporation’s commitment to environmental and social standards, with proposed safeguards including real-time ecosystem monitoring, closed-loop water systems, and biodiversity conservation. The Mkuju River project is managed by Uranium One Group, a Rosatom subsidiary with global mining operations, including in Kazakhstan and Namibia.
