Niger has withdrawn the exploitation permit for the large uranium deposit from the French company Orano, implementing an ultimatum addressed to the company, in a context of still high tensions between Paris and the Nigerien military regime. At the same time, partnerships with other nations are being established in Niamey.
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“ Orano takes note of the decision of the authorities of Niger to withdraw from its subsidiary Imouraren SA its permit to exploit the deposit, despite the resumption of activities on site in accordance with the expectations they had expressed », Wrote the French group, in a press release sent to AFP on Thursday. As of Thursday June 20 afternoon, the Nigerien authorities had not communicated on this subject.
Imouraren, in northern Niger, is one of the largest uranium deposits in the world, with reserves estimated at 200,000 tonnes. Its exploitation should have started in 2015, but the fall in uranium prices on the world market, after the disaster nuclear of Fukushima in Japan in 2011, had frozen the operations of Orano (formerly Areva). In a note dated June 11, the Ministry of Mines of the military regime, in power for almost a year, recalled that the Imouraren operating permit would be withdrawn from Orano and handed over to “ in the public domain “, if ” operating works » had not started in a “ three month period », after March 19. In this same note, the ministry recalled that Orano had received a first formal notice to resume work, from February 2022.
On June 12, an Orano spokesperson announced to AFP that “ Preliminary activities » had been launched « recently “. On Thursday, the French company specified that the infrastructure of the deposit was “ reopened since June 4, 2024 to accommodate construction teams and advance work “. “ Several dozen people were mobilized during the relaunch phase of the project. Ultimately, Imouraren SA was expected to employ 800 people, including subcontractors. », indicated Thursday evening Orano.
The military regime in power in Niamey since July 2023 – which has made sovereignty one of its mantras – has repeatedly repeated that it wishes to thoroughly review the system of exploitation of raw materials on its soil by foreign companies. For his part, Orano said to himself “ willing to keep open all channels of communication with the authorities of Niger on this subject, while reserving the right to contest the decision to withdraw the operating permit before the competent judicial authorities, national or international “.
New partners
Orano, a nuclear fuel specialist, has been exploiting uranium in northern Niger since 1971. If the Akokan Mines Company (Cominak) site has been closed since 2021, Somaïr, in the Arlit region, is still active despite “ difficulties “, In ” the logistics chain ”, according to the group. The closure of the border with Benin and its access to the sea – for security reasons according to Niamey – remains an obstacle to selling Niger’s raw materials for export.
Niger supplies 4.7% of global natural uranium production, far behind Kazakhstan (45.2%), according to 2021 figures from the Euratom supply agency (ESA). About a quarter of the supply of natural uranium to European nuclear power plants in 2022 came from Niger, the second country behind Kazakhstan and ahead of Canada.
About the Francethe French Ministry of the Economy questioned Thursday by AFP indicated that “ the country’s security of supply is not threatened, the deposit in question being absolutely not critical “. Niger, long an ally of France, has now turned its back on Paris. The generals in power have obtained the departure of the French soldiers and are increasing their invectives against the former colonial power. At the same time, Niamey is looking for new allies and creating new partnerships, notably with Russia and Iran.
Other companies – Chinese, Australian, American, British, Italian, Canadian, Indian and Russian – have obtained permits to prospect for uranium mines in recent years in Niger. As of February 2022, 31 uranium exploration permits and 11 uranium mining titles were in force. The Société des mines d’Azelik (Somina), majority owned by the Chinese, will resume its uranium mining activities in northern Niger, suspended ten years ago due to lack of profitability.