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Russia Today
9 hours ago
- Business
- 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
07-05-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
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.
