[Nuclear.Ru, 12 November] Pilot in-situ leach (ISL) uranium production has begun at Northern Kanimekh in Uzbekistan. The plant, operated by the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine (NMMC), is expected to reach full capacity by 2012 and could increase NMMC's output by up to 30%. The company is also reported to have started building a pilot ISL section at the Alendy deposit, and is planning to start building mines at the Ketmenchi, Meilysai and Tutlinskaya ploshad deposits in 2009. NMMC is one of the world's leading uranium mining companies, with 6% share of world uranium production in 2007. With its planned programme of investments in new mines and its existing installations, it is aiming to increase output by 50% by 2012.