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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
4 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
11 hours ago
- Russia Today
Durov divvies-up his billions for his kids
Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has announced plans to leave his fortune to the more than 100 children he has fathered. However, they won't have access to their inheritance until 30 years from now, the Russian-born entrepreneur told French newspaper Le Point on Wednesday. Durov, who holds Russian, French, UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis passports, said he is the official father of six children with three different partners – though he added that he has fathered over 100 children in 12 countries through sperm donation. 'I recently wrote my will... I decided that my children will not have access to my fortune until thirty years have passed, starting today,' the 40-year-old told the outlet. He said he wants his children 'to live like normal people, to build themselves up on their own, to learn to trust themselves, to be able to create – not to be dependent on a bank account.' His fortune currently stands at $17.1 billion, according to Forbes, which puts him at number 133 among the world's richest people. Last year, Telegram – which has over a billion active users – posted a record $540 million in profit, marking a sharp turnaround from a $173 million loss the previous year. Durov added that he makes no distinction between his children, saying those who were conceived naturally and those who came from his sperm donations 'will all have the same rights.' He noted that his work involves risks, and that 'defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states.' He added that he wants to protect his children and the company he created. 'I want Telegram to always remain true to the values I stand for,' Durov said. He stated that a nonprofit foundation would take over Telegram's management in the event of his 'disappearance,' adding that the main goal is to ensure the platform remains independent while respecting privacy and freedom of speech. Durov stressed that he remains Telegram's sole shareholder, owning 100% of the company, 'the only way to guarantee Telegram's complete independence.' Last year, Durov was arrested in France and placed under judicial supervision over alleged complicity in crimes linked to Telegram users. The entrepreneur, whose company is based in Dubai, was released on €5 million ($5.46 million) bail and was temporarily allowed to leave France in mid-March with judicial approval.
Russia Today
a day ago
- Russia Today
Telegram's Durov claims he stopped answering Macron's texts
Pavel Durov says he stopped replying to French President Emmanuel Macron after receiving a message in response to claims he made that France tried to influence Romania's recent presidential election. In an interview on Wednesday with Le Point, the Telegram CEO said he chose not to respond. In May, Durov accused Nicolas Lerner, the head of France's foreign intelligence agency (DGSE), of asking him to censor conservative voices on Telegram during Romania's election campaign. He also said, citing journalist Marius Tuca, that Lerner visited Romania two days before the vote. The agency has denied the claims. 'For a long time, he [Macron] could send me messages on Telegram about all sorts of topics,' the Russian-born entrepreneur told the newspaper. 'The last time was the day I spoke about the Romanian elections and the DGSE.' 'He sent me a message. I didn't reply,' he said. Romania's Constitutional Court annulled the results of the first round of the presidential election carried out in November 2024 due to alleged Russian interference – claims which Moscow has denied. Independent candidate Calin Georgescu, who secured an unexpected lead after the vote, was disqualified from the re-run. In May, the conservative EU critic George Simion lost a run-off vote against pro-Brussels Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan by a single-digit margin. Simion later challenged the results, alleging 'external interferences by state and non-state actors,' but the nation's Constitutional Court unanimously rejected the petition. Following the petition, Durov offered to testify before the Romanian authorities about his interactions with French officials, saying he would do so 'if it helps Romanian democracy.' In August 2024, Durov was arrested in France and charged with complicity in crimes allegedly carried out by Telegram users. The entrepreneur, whose company is headquartered in Dubai, was ultimately released on €5 million ($5.46 million) bail and allowed to leave the country in mid-March.
