Niger’s government is challenging a decision by the French nuclear fuel company Orano to stop uranium production in the country, according to a document from state partner Sopamin.
Last month, Orano announced it would halt operations as of Thursday due to challenging conditions and financial concerns. Sopamin, a Nigerien state company, is a co-shareholder with Orano in Somair, the only remaining site where Orano was active until the shutdown.
The government had earlier withdrawn a permit for one of the world’s largest uranium deposits, Imouraren, and restricted uranium exports due to security-related border closures with Benin. Sopamin expressed frustration that it had not been consulted about Orano’s decision, calling it “non-transparent” and a breach of governance principles.
Orano noted that it had proposed alternative export routes to France or Namibia, but no response was received from Nigerien authorities. Niger now intends to purchase 210 tons of uranium through Sopamin, which could enable Somair to keep operating.
Currently, 1,050 tons of uranium concentrate from 2023 and 2024, valued at approximately 300 million euros, are blocked from export. The government, in power since July last year, has plans to revise mining regulations for foreign companies. In September, it also created a new state entity, the Timersoi National Uranium Company (TNUC), signaling a shift in mining governance while reducing ties with France and building relationships with Russia and Iran.
