Niger seizes equipment from French uranium miner
Niger's security forces have raided the offices of French state-owned miner Orano's local subsidiaries and seized equipment, including mobile phones, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The company's local director, Ibrahim Courmo, was reportedly arrested following the search in the West African nation's capital, Niamey, on Monday.
'On Monday, May 5, it appears that Nigerien law enforcement officers intervened at the headquarters of the Somair, Cominak, and Orano Mining Niger subsidiaries in Niamey, with equipment seized,' the company told Reuters.
'We are very concerned about the situation, as we have not been able to contact the Orano representative in Niger at this stage,' it added. The company noted that it had 'very limited' information due to losing operational control of the subsidiaries in December.
The raid comes amid tensions between Niger's military-led government and the French state-owned nuclear fuel company. In June 2024, Niamey revoked the license of Orano, which had allowed it to operate the Imouraren mine, one of the world's largest uranium mines, in northern Niger.
In December 2024, Orano announced that Nigerien authorities had taken operational control of its Somair uranium mine in the northern Arlit region, where Orano holds a 63.4% stake and the Nigerien state owns the remainder.
Niger is the world's seventh-largest uranium producer, accounting for approximately 5% of global output, according to the World Nuclear Association. The country's uranium exports are a significant source of fuel for France's nuclear reactors, supplying about 15%–17% of the uranium used in French electricity generation.
Since the military coup in July 2023, Niger's transitional authorities have been reviewing foreign mining concessions and security agreements. Last July, Canada's GoviEx Uranium announced that its mining permit had been withdrawn by the former French colony's government.
The Sahel state's allies, Mali and Burkina Faso, have also been stepping up pressure on foreign mining companies in recent years as part of efforts to make more revenue from the extractive sector to boost state income.
Mali passed a new mining code in 2023 that allows the military government to own up to 30% of any new projects. It has since been embroiled in a dispute with Canadian miner Barrick Gold and Australia's Resolute Mining over unpaid revenues.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
3 hours ago
- Russia Today
African state strips French nuclear giant of uranium mine
Niger's military government has announced plans to nationalize Somair uranium, a local venture operated by French state-owned nuclear fuels company Orano, amid an escalating dispute between the miner and the West African nation. The authorities cited alleged illegal actions by Orano as justification for their decision, adding that the most recent mining agreement between Niger and the French mining giant expired in December 2023. The Somair uranium mine in the northern Arlit region has been in operation since 1971. 'Faced with this irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behavior by Orano – a company owned by the French state, which has been openly hostile toward Niger since July 26, 2023 – the government of Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalize Somair,' national broadcaster RTN reported, citing a statement issued after a meeting of the Nigerien Council of Ministers on Thursday. 'This nationalization will allow for healthier and more sustainable management of the company and, consequently, optimal enjoyment of the wealth from mining resources by Nigeriens,' the government said in a press release published by the Niger Press Agency. Relations between Niger and France have deteriorated since the African country's military coup in July 2023, leading to a break in defense cooperation and the expulsion of French troops previously deployed to combat jihadist insurgents in the Sahel. The transitional authorities have been reviewing foreign mining concessions as part of a wider regional push by governments, including allies in neighboring Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, to boost revenues from the extractive sector. Last December, Orano claimed that the government in Niamey had taken operational control of its Somair uranium mine, in which the French company holds a 63.4% stake and the Nigerien state owns the remainder. In May, it reported that Nigerien security forces had raided the offices of its local subsidiaries, seized equipment and arrested one of its directors. Orano said it has filed 'several international arbitration proceedings' against Niger. On Thursday, however, Niger accused Orano of disconnecting Somair from the company's global IT network on December 4, effectively shutting down operations and unilaterally terminating all licenses without notice. Niger is the world's seventh-largest uranium producer, accounting for approximately 5% of global output, according to the World Nuclear Association. The country's uranium exports are a significant source of fuel for France's nuclear reactors, supplying about 15%-17% of the uranium used in French electricity generation.
Russia Today
a day ago
- Russia Today
Russia signs nuclear energy deal with African state
Russia and Burkina Faso have formalized a deal to expand peaceful nuclear energy cooperation, including joint projects in radiation technologies and the training of specialists from the West African country. The agreement was signed on Thursday by Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, and Burkina Faso's Energy Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). 'The signing of this Agreement marks an important milestone in strengthening the partnership between Russia and Burkina Faso,' Likhachev stated, according to a Rosatom press release. 'We are ready to provide advanced technologies and expert support to implement joint projects aimed at sustainable development and enhancing the region's energy security,' he added. According to the statement, the new pact builds on a roadmap signed in March last year between Rosatom and Burkina Faso's Ministry of Energy during the ATOMEXPO forum in Sochi. Key areas of cooperation outlined in the document include the development of Burkina Faso's nuclear infrastructure in line with international standards, regulation of nuclear and radiation safety, and the use of radioisotopes in industry, medicine, and agriculture. Moscow and Ouagadougou have been engaged in nuclear cooperation since 2023, following a request by Burkina Faso's interim leader, Ibrahim Traore, to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the second Russia–Africa Summit in St. Petersburg. Last year, Rosatom representatives visited Burkina Faso to discuss plans for constructing a nuclear power plant in one of the world's least electrified countries. The Sahel state had earlier signed an agreement with the Russian firm in October 2024 to build the facility. NovaWind – the wind energy division of Rosatom – is also working with the government of neighboring Mali to build a 200-megawatt (MW) solar power plant near the capital, Bamako. Last year, NovaWind's director, Grigory Nazarov, said the $217 million facility would boost the country's electricity production by 10%. Apart from striking its latest deal on peaceful nuclear cooperation with Burkina Faso, Moscow also announced last week the approval of similar agreements with Mali, which have yet to be formalized.
Russia Today
a day ago
- Russia Today
Canadian mining giant loses control of African site
Mali has temporarily stripped Canadian firm Barrick of control over the West African country's largest gold mining operations, amid an escalating dispute over alleged unpaid taxes and royalties. On Monday, a court in Bamako ruled that the management of the Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex in western Mali be handed over to a state-appointed provisional administrator for six months. Bamako Commercial Tribunal Judge Issa Aguibou Diallo announced that the mine will be managed during the period by Soumana Makadji, a former health minister and professional accountant. The decision follows the government's closure of Barrick's offices in the capital and warnings to take over the site, which has been inactive for months. Mali's military authorities have defended the move as necessary to maintain operations and protect the country's economic interests. Barrick, however, has denounced the court order as illegal and a breach of its contractual agreements. 'This ruling follows actions by the Malian government to block gold exports and seize gold stocks belonging to Barrick's subsidiaries – measures Barrick believes to be unjustified and which led to the temporary suspension of operations,' the mining giant said in a statement. The Loulo-Gounkoto mines are 80% owned by Barrick and 20% by the Malian government. The company suspended operations at the mine in January after the authorities seized three tons of gold from the mines and blocked its exports over unpaid revenues – a claim Barrick denies. In February, Barrick said it had reached a settlement deal to reopen the mine, following an earlier $85 million payment made to the government last October. However, talks between the two sides recently collapsed after Mali demanded a lump-sum tax payment of 125 billion CFA francs ($197 million), while Barrick pushed for a structured repayment plan. Tensions have escalated since late last year over the detention of four Barrick employees, who face charges of money laundering and financing terrorism – accusations the company has rejected as false. The mining giant has filed a case against Mali with the World Bank's arbitration tribunal. 'While the company has made a number of good faith concessions in the spirit of partnership, it cannot accept terms that would compromise the legal integrity or long-term viability of the operations,' Barrick said on Monday. The former French colony introduced a new mining code in 2023, allowing the state to claim up to a 30% stake in new projects as part of efforts to boost revenue amid rising gold prices. The authorities in Bamako have expressed hope that a recent deal with Russia's Yadran Group to establish a gold refinery – 62% owned by Mali – will help boost national revenues from bullion production.
