Niger seize major French owned uranium mine

Niger authorities have seized a uranium mine, majority-owned and operated by French nuclear fuels company Orano, amid rising tensions between the two nations, on December 4th, according to AP.

Orano owns a 63% stake in the Somair mine, while Niger’s military government owns the remaining 37%.

The seizure follows the revoking of Orano’s permit for the Imou-raren mine in June, after Niger authorities halted uranium exports, suspending operations.

According to IntelliNews, the dispute in rooted in Niger’s strained relations with France, with Paris’ refusal to acknowledge the legitimacy of Niger’s military government, adding fuel to the fire.

The uranium from Niger accounted for 15% of Orano’s supplies when mines were fully operational – significant given Orano is the second largest uranium producer in the world but perhaps overestimated by some as to its importance to France, only providing 20% of countries diversified uranium supplies.

AP and IntelliNews