On Monday, Niger said that one of the largest uranium mines in the world was once again under public ownership, following the cancellation of the French nuclear fuel manufacturer Orano’s operating license.
In a decision that underscored tensions between France and the military regime in the West African nation, the business said last week that it had been barred from the Imouraren mine in northern Niger.
When the Imouraren mine was declared to have returned “to the public domain of the state” in a statement released on Monday, the administration had not responded.
It justified revoking the licence by saying Orano “never honoured its commitments” despite two “formal notices” handed to it by the mines ministry in February 2022 and March this year.Orano on Thursday said it had “taken note” of the withdrawal of the licence from its subsidiary Imouraren SA.
The move came despite its recent resumption of “activities” at the site, which had been fulfilled in line with the government’s wishes, according to Orano.
The company added that it was “prepared to keep open all channels of communication” with the authorities while reserving the right to contest the decision in national or international courts.
An estimated 200,000 tonnes of uranium, used for nuclear power and weapons, exist under the Imouraren mine.
However, construction came to a halt following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, which caused uranium prices to plummet globally.
As part of their emphasis on maintaining national sovereignty, Niger’s military authorities have pledged to evaluate mining concessions throughout the nation since seizing control in a coup in July 2023.
In addition, they severed their connections with France, a longtime ally and former colonial power, and shifted their focus to Russia, which is looking to increase its influence in the area.
Niger in 2022 accounted for about a quarter of the natural uranium supplied to European nuclear power plants, according to data from the atomic organisation Euratom.
