His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday visited the project of the AREVA/Jordanian-French Uranium Mining Company in Swaqa, where he was briefed on the progress of the uranium mining project, which is now in its second phase.

King Abdullah was briefed on the steps that have been taken to facilitate the beginning of the second phase of the project to explore uranium.

At a meeting with experts from French nuclear manufacturer AREVA and the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC), the King stressed his commitment to the development of clean and renewable energy projects using state-of-the-art technologies.

King Abdullah also toured a work site, looked at extracted samples and was briefed on measures taken to implement the project.

JAEC Chairman Khaled Toukan reiterated that initial indicators during the first explorations were positive and encouraging so that Jordan could become one of the first producers and exporters of uranium.

Launched in September 2008, the project covers an area of 1,469 square kilometres.

Feasibility studies for the project are expected to be completed by the end of this year, after which actual planning to build a uranium extracting mine will begin, Toukan added.