Niger plans to nationalise a uranium mine operated by French nuclear agency Orano because it continues to pivot away from former colonial ruler, France.
The corporate, which is 90 % owned by the French state, stated on Friday that Niger’s navy rulers’ deliberate nationalisation of the Somair mine was a part of a “systematic coverage of stripping mining property”, threatening to take authorized motion over the transfer.
The navy authorities – which got here to energy in a 2023 coup, pledging to overview mining concessions – had stated a day prior that it supposed to take management of the Somair mine, accusing Orano of taking a disproportionate share of uranium produced on the website.
Orano holds a 63 % stake in Somair, whereas Niger’s state-owned Sopamin owns the rest, however the authorities stated that Orano had taken 86.3 % of manufacturing between the mine’s launch in 1971 and 2024.
“Confronted with the irresponsible, unlawful, and unfair behaviour by Orano, an organization owned by the French state, a state overtly hostile towards Niger since July 26, 2023 … the federal government of Niger has determined, in full sovereignty, to nationalise Somair,” the authorities stated on Thursday.
Wave of nationalisations
Niger’s navy leaders have turned their again on France since taking energy, looking for nearer ties with Russia as an alternative.
In 2024, Niger eliminated Orano’s operational management of its three essential mines within the nation: Somair, Cominak and Imouraren, which has one of many largest uranium deposits on the planet.
On Friday, Orano stated it supposed “to assert compensation for all of its damages and assert its rights over the inventory similar to Somair’s manufacturing so far”.
Orano, which has been working in Niger for 50 years, is concerned in a number of arbitration processes with the nation.
Final month, it sued the Nigerien authorities after the disappearance of its director and the raiding of its native places of work.
Niger’s determination to nationalise Somair comes amid a wave of mine nationalisations throughout West Africa, notably in Mali and Burkina Faso, each of that are ruled by navy governments.
