- Orano has halted uranium extraction in Niger due to export blockages and tensions with the ruling military junta.
- Somaïr has stockpiled 1,050 tons of uranium worth €300 million as border closures prevent shipments.
- Niger seeks new mining partnerships with Russian and Iranian companies to diversify its international relations.
Orano, a leading uranium producer, has stopped its extraction operations in Niger. The company made this decision after a Somaïr board meeting on November 12, 2024. Orano holds a 64.3% stake in Somaïr, while the Nigerien government controls 36.6%.
Export blockages, primarily due to the closure of the Niger-Benin border since June, forced Orano to suspend activities. These blockages have prevented uranium shipments, leading Somaïr to accumulate 1,050 tons of uranium concentrate, valued at around €300 million.
Tensions with Niger’s military junta, which took power in July 2023, further worsened the situation. In October, Orano paused production at Somaïr, citing financial difficulties. The junta’s decision to revoke a mining permit for the Imouraren deposit, one of the largest uranium reserves globally, contributed to Somaïr’s economic troubles.
The junta has criticised Orano for suspending operations without prior consultation. Representatives of Sopamin, Niger’s state-owned mining company, abstained from voting during the board meeting, reflecting the friction between the two parties.
Despite halting extraction, Orano has redirected funds to pay salaries and maintain essential operations. The company plans to keep a minimum activity running until tensions ease and border routes reopen.
In response to these challenges, Niger is actively seeking new international partnerships. Niger’s Minister of Mines, Ousmane Abarchi, revealed that the government had started discussions with Russian and Iranian companies during the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi. This move shows Niger’s desire to diversify its international relations and strengthen control over its mineral resources.
Orano, which the French government owns 90%, plays a critical role in France’s nuclear energy strategy. The disruptions in Niger pose a severe geopolitical challenge for France, as Nigerien uranium is vital to its nuclear power sector.
Niger’s military leadership aims to renegotiate contracts with foreign mining companies. This shift could disrupt long-established agreements and create opportunities for new partnerships, affecting the future of uranium extraction in the country.
By halting operations and facing export restrictions, Orano’s decision raises uncertainties about the future of mining in Niger. The situation could reshape the region’s mining landscape and influence global uranium markets.