Niger junta takes control of French uranium mine

AFP An image of Somair mineral treatment plant near the uranium opencast mine in Niger — Uranium is one of Niger’s major exports

French nuclear firm Orano says the military authorities in Niger have taken control of its uranium mining operations in the West African country.

After seizing power in a coup in July last year, Niger’s military rulers said they would revamp rules regulating the mining of raw materials by foreign companies.

In June, they withdrew Orano’s permit to exploit one of the globe’s largest uranium deposits. Orano then suspended production.

This marks another escalation in the unravelling connection between France and Niger, following the expulsion of French troops from its former colony.

Niger’s authorities have not commented on Orano’s statement.

The country accounts for about 5% of global uranium output, making it one of the globe’s top 10 producers of a vital raw material in the production of nuclear power.

Before the coup, Niger accounted for 15-20% of France’s uranium imports.

Orano has for months been warning of interference in the running of its local unit, Somair, in which Niger has a 36.6% stake.

The business said it had been struggling to export uranium because Niger’s border with Benin was closed for safety reasons.

A total of 1,150 tonnes of uranium concentrate from 2023 and 2024 stocks haven’t been exported, according to Orano. This is worth about $210m (£165m).

Orano said it intended to “defend its rights before the competent bodies” but also wanted to work with “all stakeholders to re-establish a stable and sustainable mode of operation”.

Niger’s military rulers have made it obvious they were not joyful with the way foreign companies had been awarded licences and depend that the country should earn more from the minerals found under its soil.

It is feasible that with France sidelined, Russian and Turkish firms will get a chance to invest.

In November, Niger’s Minister of Mines Colonel Abarchi Ousmane told a Russian information agency, that France’s lack of recognition of the military rulers had also affected relations between the two countries.

“The French state, through its head of state, has declared that it does not recognise the current authorities in Niger. Does it seem feasible to you that we, the state of Niger, would allow French companies to continue extracting our natural resources?” he said.

Niger achieved independence from France in 1960 and the former colonial power managed to secure exclusive access to Niger’s uranium supply through various agreements.

But since the coup, military chief Abdourahamane Tiani has been adamant about wrestling power from the West.