Niger targets jihadist financing, kills 13 in illegal gold mine raids

NIAMEY, June 16 (Reuters) - Niger's army has raided jihadist-controlled informal mining sites in the country's west, killing more than a dozen insurgents and seizing material linked to the manufacture of improvised explosive devices, it said.
An army statement said the raids took place last week in the Tagueye locality, near Niger's western border with Burkina Faso. It said 13 insurgents were killed and one arrested.
"Previously under the control of armed terrorist groups, these sites have been dismantled and systematically rendered inoperative," said the army statement released over the weekend.
The raids "aimed at drying up the sources of financing for terrorist activities", it said.
Like Sahel neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger is battling an insurgency by jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State that have killed thousands and taken control of villages in its western border and the south.
The military-ruled government expelled French forces, turning instead to Russia to help fight the insurgents.
Ryan Cummings, director of the Africa-focused intelligence firm Signal Risk, said the raids may have temporarily disrupted illicit gold mining, but cutting off insurgents' financing required stronger efforts.
"The minute state forces depart areas and mining sites with militant presence, the same actors can return to these deposits and restart operations," Cummings said.
The insurgency in Niger has further battered the economy in Niger, where around 4.5 million people, or 17% of the population, required aid in 2024, according to the United Nations.
In May, eight staff of privately-owned Nguvu Mining, which operates the Samira Hill gold mine southwest of the capital Niamey, were killed when the military-escorted bus they were travelling in ran over an IED, a company executive told Reuters.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Reuters

4 hours ago

• Reuters

Niger to nationalize Somair uranium venture operated by France's Orano

NIAMEY, June 19 (Reuters) - Niger's government on Thursday announced plans to nationalize the Somair uranium joint venture operated by French nuclear fuels company Orano, according to a statement read on national television in the West African nation. The statement cited a series of grievances including the expiration of the latest mining agreement in December 2023. "Faced with this irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behaviour by Orano, a company owned by the French state — a state openly hostile toward Niger since July 26, 2023 ... the government of Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalize Somair," the statement said. The decision is an escalation of a dispute between the government and the French company, following a deterioration of relations between France and Niger after a military coup in July 2023. Orano holds a 63% stake in Somair, while Niger's state-owned Sopamin owns the remainder, but the French operator has been shut out since the military-led government seized control of the uranium mine. Orano, which has been pursuing arbitration against Niger and has filed lawsuits in the country against the state's actions, has been warning of government interference at Somair, which it said was damaging the mine's financial situation. According to a Financial Times report in May, the company was also exploring the potential sale of its stake in the uranium venture.

Reuters

3 days ago

• Reuters

Mali starts construction of Russia-backed gold refinery

BAMAKO, June 16 (Reuters) - Mali began construction of a new Russia-backed gold refinery on Monday, which the West African country's military leader said would take it closer to asserting control over its natural resources. The 200-ton capacity facility, in which Mali has a controlling stake, will be built in partnership with Russia's Yadran Group and a Swiss investment company. Mali's interim president Colonel Assimi Goita said last year that all mining companies will be required to process their gold domestically under a revised mining code, without providing a deadline. That reflects a broader regional shift extending across the Sahel, where Guinea, Niger and Burkina Faso have also revised mining codes to mandate local processing, adding value to their exports and boosting the economic benefits of their resources. "Since 1980, Mali's gold has been exported for refining and sale to countries such as the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Switzerland," Goita said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new plant in Senou, outside the capital Bamako. "This deprives our country of substantial revenues that could be used for the development of its economy." The government has not provided a deadline for the plant's completion. Once fully operational, it will process all gold produced in Mali into dore bars before it is exported, with a capacity nearly four times Mali's annual gold production. Echoing comments from Goita, Yadran President Irek Salikhov said at the ceremony the refinery will become "a regional center for processing gold extracted not only in Mali, but also in neighboring countries — like Burkina Faso". West Africa is a major gold producer, but lacks a functional and globally certified gold refinery despite attempts to create one including by Ghana, the continent's top gold producer. The refinery is part of Goita's sweeping mining reforms introduced since the military leader seized power in 2021 and severed relations with Western partners. Mali's revised mining code, like those of neighbours Guinea, Niger and Burkina Faso, has rattled investors. A Malian court this month put Canadian miner Barrick's ( opens new tab Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex under temporary state control, escalating an ongoing dispute over Mali's tax claims. Goita said the refinery would enable Mali to better track its gold production and exports. Like many African countries, it loses billions of dollars to gold smuggling due to the absence of certified gold refineries and traceability programmes.

Reuters

4 days ago

• Reuters

Niger targets jihadist financing, kills 13 in illegal gold mine raids

NIAMEY, June 16 (Reuters) - Niger's army has raided jihadist-controlled informal mining sites in the country's west, killing more than a dozen insurgents and seizing material linked to the manufacture of improvised explosive devices, it said. An army statement said the raids took place last week in the Tagueye locality, near Niger's western border with Burkina Faso. It said 13 insurgents were killed and one arrested. "Previously under the control of armed terrorist groups, these sites have been dismantled and systematically rendered inoperative," said the army statement released over the weekend. The raids "aimed at drying up the sources of financing for terrorist activities", it said. Like Sahel neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger is battling an insurgency by jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State that have killed thousands and taken control of villages in its western border and the south. The military-ruled government expelled French forces, turning instead to Russia to help fight the insurgents. Ryan Cummings, director of the Africa-focused intelligence firm Signal Risk, said the raids may have temporarily disrupted illicit gold mining, but cutting off insurgents' financing required stronger efforts. "The minute state forces depart areas and mining sites with militant presence, the same actors can return to these deposits and restart operations," Cummings said. The insurgency in Niger has further battered the economy in Niger, where around 4.5 million people, or 17% of the population, required aid in 2024, according to the United Nations. In May, eight staff of privately-owned Nguvu Mining, which operates the Samira Hill gold mine southwest of the capital Niamey, were killed when the military-escorted bus they were travelling in ran over an IED, a company executive told Reuters.