Niger junta takes control of French uranium mine
3 min read
Uranium is a key export for Niger. It plays a vital role in the country's economy. [AFP]
In a significant development, the military authorities in Niger have taken control of the uranium mining operations run by the French nuclear company, Orano. This move is part of the escalating tensions between Niger’s military junta and France, following the coup in July 2023 that ousted the democratically elected president.
Niger is one of the world’s top producers of uranium, accounting for about 5% of global output. The country is especially important to France, which relied on Niger for approximately 15-20% of its uranium imports before the coup. The ore is a crucial raw material for nuclear power generation. Orano, previously known as Areva, has been operating in Niger for decades, but the coup and subsequent shifts in policy have severely disrupted its operations.
In June 2024, Niger’s military rulers revoked Orano’s permit to operate in the country’s Arlit region, which hosts one of the world’s largest uranium deposits. Following the withdrawal of the permit, Orano suspended its production activities. This action was a clear signal of the junta’s intention to overhaul the rules governing foreign involvement in the country’s mining sector. The revocation of the permit is seen as part of Niger’s broader plan to gain more control over its natural resources and reduce foreign dominance, particularly from former colonial powers like France.
The takeover of Orano’s operations in Niger is a further step in the unraveling relationship between the two nations. The coup, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, has significantly deteriorated diplomatic ties with France. As part of this rupture, France withdrew its military forces from Niger, ending years of counterterrorism cooperation in the Sahel region. The junta’s decision to take control of the uranium mines underscores its determination to assert national sovereignty over valuable resources.
Orano, which owns a majority stake in the Somair uranium mining company, has repeatedly warned of interference in its operations in the country. Niger’s government holds a 36.6% stake in the company. Orano has faced difficulties in exporting uranium due to Niger’s closure of the border with neighboring Benin, citing security concerns. As a result, a significant amount of uranium—1,150 tonnes from the 2023 and 2024 stockpiles—remains unexported. This backlog is valued at approximately $210 million. Orano has stated its intention to defend its rights in this dispute and is calling for negotiations to stabilize operations.
The military rulers in Niger, however, have expressed dissatisfaction with the historical arrangements that allowed foreign companies, particularly from France, to extract and profit from the country’s resources. They argue that Niger has not benefitted sufficiently from its rich mineral wealth. In statements made earlier this year, Colonel Abarchi Ousmane, Niger’s Minister of Mines, made it clear that the junta believed foreign companies had been given unfair privileges and that the country should earn more from its natural resources.
This move is also likely to open the door for other international players, particularly Russian and Turkish firms, to enter the Nigerien mining sector. The junta’s stance towards foreign involvement and its criticism of France’s colonial history have created a vacuum that other nations could exploit. In November 2024, Ousmane commented that the lack of recognition from France of the military government’s legitimacy had further soured relations. He questioned whether Niger should continue to allow French companies to exploit its resources under these circumstances.
Niger gained independence from France in 1960, but over the years, France managed to secure exclusive mining rights through various agreements. However, since the military coup, there has been a clear shift in Niger’s foreign policy under Tiani’s leadership. The junta has consistently moved to limit French influence in the country, including renegotiating mining contracts and aligning more with countries like Russia, which has shown interest in expanding its presence in Africa.
The situation in Niger is evolving rapidly, and the control of the uranium mines marks a critical moment in the ongoing shift in the country’s political and economic direction. As tensions between the junta and former colonial powers like France continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how foreign companies and investors will respond to these changes and whether other nations will seize the opportunity to deepen their involvement in Niger’s mining sector.
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