Latest news with #Sopamin
Al Jazeera
5 hours ago
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Niger to nationalise uranium mine operated by French state-affiliated firm
Niger plans to nationalise a uranium mine operated by French nuclear firm Orano as it continues to pivot away from former colonial ruler, France. The company, which is 90 percent owned by the French state, said on Friday that Niger's military rulers' planned nationalisation of the Somair mine was part of a 'systematic policy of stripping mining assets', threatening to take legal action over the move. The military government – which came to power in a 2023 coup, pledging to review mining concessions – had said a day prior that it intended to take control of the Somair mine, accusing Orano of taking a disproportionate share of uranium produced at the site. Orano holds a 63 percent stake in Somair, while Niger's state-owned Sopamin owns the remainder, but the government said that Orano had taken 86.3 percent of production between the mine's launch in 1971 and 2024. 'Faced with the irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behaviour by Orano, a company owned by the French state, a state openly hostile toward Niger since July 26, 2023 … the government of Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalise Somair,' the authorities said on Thursday. Wave of nationalisations Niger's military leaders have turned their back on France since taking power, seeking closer ties with Russia instead. In 2024, Niger removed Orano's operational control of its three main mines in the country: Somair, Cominak and Imouraren, which has one of the largest uranium deposits in the world. On Friday, Orano said it intended 'to claim compensation for all of its damages and assert its rights over the stock corresponding to Somair's production to date'. Orano, which has been operating in Niger for 50 years, is involved in several arbitration processes with the country. Last month, it sued the Nigerien authorities after the disappearance of its director and the raiding of its local offices. Niger's decision to nationalise Somair comes amid a wave of mine nationalisations across West Africa, notably in Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which are governed by military governments.
Globe and Mail
13 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Niger says it will nationalize a uranium venture operated by France's Orano
Niger's government said Thursday it would nationalize the Somaïr uranium venture operated by French company Orano and accused it of taking a disproportionate share of the uranium produced at the site. The announcement comes as military authorities in the west African country tighten their grip on foreign companies and civil society. Tensions have simmered for months between Niger's military government and the French company, and relations between Niamey and Paris have deteriorated. 'Faced with the irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behavior by Orano, a company owned by the French state – a state openly hostile toward Niger since July 26, 2023 ... the government of Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalize Somaïr,' the authorities said in a statement. Canada's GoviEx Uranium stripped of right to develop uranium project in Niger The authorities allege that Orano took a disproportionate share of the uranium produced at Somaïr. They added that the company has also been accused of other 'irresponsible actions' at the site, without elaborating. Orano did not immediately reply to the Associated Press's request for a comment. Somaïr is a joint venture between Orano and Niger's state-owned Sopamin, which operates the only active uranium mine in the country. But last year, authorities took operational control of Somaïr. They also withdrew Orano's operating permit for the Imouraren uranium mine, with reserves estimated at 200,000 tons. Orano is involved in several arbitration processes with Niger. Last month it sued the Nigerien authorities after the disappearance of its director and the raiding of its local offices. Orano has been operating in Niger, the world's seventh biggest supplier of uranium, for over 50 years and holds majority shares in three main uranium mines in Niger. Nigerien military authorities seized power in 2023 with a pledge to cut ties with the West and review mining concessions. Before that, the country was the West's major economic and security partner in the Sahel, the vast region south of the Sahara Desert that has been a hot spot for violent extremism.
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Niger says it will nationalize a uranium venture operated by France's Orano
DAKAR, Senegal — Niger's government said Thursday it would nationalize the Somaïr uranium venture operated by French company Orano and accused it of taking a disproportionate share of the uranium produced at the site. The announcement comes as military authorities in the west African country tighten their grip on foreign companies and civil society. Tensions have simmered for months between Niger's military government and the French company, and relations between Niamey and Paris have deteriorated. 'Faced with the irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behavior by Orano, a company owned by the French state — a state openly hostile toward Niger since July 26, 2023 ... the government of Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalize Somaïr,' the authorities said in a statement. The authorities allege that Orano took a disproportionate share of the uranium produced at Somaïr. They added that the company has also been accused of other 'irresponsible actions' at the site, without elaborating. Orano did not immediately reply to The Associated Press' request for a comment. Somaïr is a joint venture between Orano and Niger's state-owned Sopamin, which operates the only active uranium mine in the country. But last year, authorities took operational control of Somaïr. They also withdrew Orano's operating permit for the Imouraren uranium mine, with reserves estimated at 200,000 tons. Orano is involved in several arbitration processes with Niger. Last month it sued the Nigerien authorities after the disappearance of its director and the raiding of its local offices. Orano has been operating in Niger, the world's seventh biggest supplier of uranium, for over 50 years and holds majority shares in three main uranium mines in Niger. Nigerien military authorities seized power in 2023 with a pledge to cut ties with the West and review mining concessions. Before that, the country was the West's major economic and security partner in the Sahel, the vast region south of the Sahara Desert that has been a hot spot for violent extremism. Monika Pronczuk, The Associated Press
Al Arabiya
15 hours ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Niger Says It Will Nationalize a Uranium Venture Operated by France's Orano
Niger's government said Thursday it would nationalize the Somaïr uranium venture operated by French company Orano and accused it of taking a disproportionate share of the uranium produced at the site. The announcement comes as military authorities in the west African country tighten their grip on foreign companies and civil society. Tensions have simmered for months between Niger's military government and the French company, and relations between Niamey and Paris have deteriorated. 'Faced with the irresponsible, illegal and unfair behavior by Orano – a company owned by the French state – a state openly hostile toward Niger since July 26, 2023 … the government of Niger has decided in full sovereignty to nationalize Somaïr,' the authorities said in a statement. The authorities allege that Orano took a disproportionate share of the uranium produced at Somaïr. They added that the company has also been accused of other irresponsible actions at the site, without elaborating. Orano did not immediately reply to The Associated Press' request for a comment. Somaïr is a joint venture between Orano and Niger's state-owned Sopamin, which operates the only active uranium mine in the country. But last year, authorities took operational control of Somaïr. They also withdrew Orano's operating permit for the Imouraren uranium mine with reserves estimated at 200,000 tons. Orano is involved in several arbitration processes with Niger. Last month, it sued the Nigerien authorities after the disappearance of its director and the raiding of its local offices. Orano has been operating in Niger, the world's seventh biggest supplier of uranium, for over 50 years and holds majority shares in three main uranium mines in Niger. Nigerien military authorities seized power in 2023 with a pledge to cut ties with the West and review mining concessions. Before that, the country was the West's major economic and security partner in the Sahel, the vast region south of the Sahara Desert that has been a hot spot for extremist violence.
The Independent
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Niger says it will nationalize a uranium venture operated by France's Orano
Niger's government said Thursday it would nationalize the Somaïr uranium venture operated by French company Orano and accused it of taking a disproportionate share of the uranium produced at the site. The announcement comes as military authorities in the west African country tighten their grip on foreign companies and civil society. Tensions have simmered for months between Niger's military government and the French company, and relations between Niamey and Paris have deteriorated. 'Faced with the irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behavior by Orano, a company owned by the French state — a state openly hostile toward Niger since July 26, 2023 ... the government of Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalize Somaïr,' the authorities said in a statement. The authorities allege that Orano took a disproportionate share of the uranium produced at Somaïr. They added that the company has also been accused of other 'irresponsible actions' at the site, without elaborating. Orano did not immediately reply to The Associated Press' request for a comment. Somaïr is a joint venture between Orano and Niger's state-owned Sopamin, which operates the only active uranium mine in the country. But last year, authorities took operational control of Somaïr. They also withdrew Orano's operating permit for the Imouraren uranium mine, with reserves estimated at 200,000 tons. Orano is involved in several arbitration processes with Niger. Last month it sued the Nigerien authorities after the disappearance of its director and the raiding of its local offices. Orano has been operating in Niger, the world's seventh biggest supplier of uranium, for over 50 years and holds majority shares in three main uranium mines in Niger. Nigerien military authorities seized power in 2023 with a pledge to cut ties with the West and review mining concessions. Before that, the country was the West's major economic and security partner in the Sahel, the vast region south of the Sahara Desert that has been a hot spot for violent extremism.
