PARIS, Feb 18 (Reuters) - French nuclear power group Areva said on Monday its uranium production hit a record level of 9,760 tonnes last year, retaining its position as the world's second-largest producer behind Russia's KazAtomPromof.

The firm produced 3,661 tonnes in its Katco mine in Kazakhstan and 3,065 tonnes at its Somair mine in Niger. Its share in the Cominak mine in Niger yielded 512 tonnes for Areva, the company said.

Areva's stake in the Canadian McArthur-Key Lake facility yielded 2,270 tonnes and the Trekkopje, Namibia, pilot site 251 tonnes.

According to World Nuclear Association data global uranium production totalled 54,610 tonnes in 2011, of which 8,884 tonnes came from Russia's KazAtomProm, 8790 tonnes from Areva and 8,630 tonnes from Canada's Cameco, the operating partner at Key Lake.

(Reporting by Geert De Clercq; Editing by Greg Mahlich) Keywords: AREVA URANIUM/

(james.regan@thomsonreuters.com)(+33 01 49 49 53 84)(Reuters Messaging: james.regan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

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