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The nationalization of Niger of the Somair mine exploited by Orano then comes away from France and seeks narrower links with Russia.
Niger plans to nationalize a uranium mine operated by a French nuclear company Orano While he continues to detach himself from the former colonial sovereign, France.
The company, which belongs to 90% by the French State, said on Friday that the nationalization planned by the military leaders of Niger of the Somair mine was part of a “systematic policy of counting mining assets”, threatening to take legal action during this decision.
The military government – which came to power in 2023 cut, Committing to review the mining concessions – had declared a day before that she intended to take control of the Somair mine, accusing Orano of taking a disproportionate part of uranium produced on the site.
Orano has 63% participation in Somair, while Sopamin, belonging to the State of Niger, has the rest, but the government said that Orano had taken 86.3% of production between the launch of the mine in 1971 and 2024.
“Faced with the illegal, illegal and unfair behavior of Orano, a company belonging to the French State, an openly hostile state towards Niger since July 26, 2023 … The government of Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalize Somair,” the authorities announced on Thursday.
Wave of nationalizations
The military leaders of Niger have turned their backs on France since their takeover, seeking in place closer links with Russia.
In 2024, Niger deleted 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 that he intended to “claim compensation for all his damage and assert his rights on the stock corresponding to the production of Somair to date”.
Orano, who has been operating in Niger for 50 years, is involved in several arbitration processes with the country.
Last month, he continued the Nigerian authorities after the disappearance of its director and the raid of his local offices.
Niger’s decision to nationalize Somair arrives in the middle of a wave Mines nationalizations across West Africa, notably in Mali and Burkina Faso, which are both led by military governments.
