Key Minerals in Africa: Niger Revokes Historic Uranium Mining License, Escalating Dispute with French Company Orano
¬ Niger has revoked the mining concession for the Arlit uranium mine originally granted in 1968 to France’s Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique (CEA), now known as Orano
¬ The government states that Orano failed to pay surface royalty fees required for certain portions of the concession area
¬ After nationalizing Somaïr, Niamey has also established a new state-owned uranium mining company
This week, the Nigerien government revoked one of the country’s oldest mining concessions held by Orano Group, marking a new phase in the escalating standoff between Niger and the French uranium company.
On May 18, the Nigerien government approved a decree during a cabinet meeting revoking the mining rights at the Arlit site. The site was initially granted in 1968 to the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the predecessor of today’s Orano company.
According to the government, the cancellation stems from Orano’s failure to pay surface royalty fees for unleased parts of the mining area.
Niamey stated that a payment assessment notice was issued on April 14, 2025, followed by a formal notice on September 25, 2025. After the six-month period expired, the government asserted its right under Niger’s mining law to revoke the mining license.
In a statement broadcast on national television, the government declared: "The Government of Niger has the right to revoke the mining concession for this site." The statement further added that the affected land is now "no longer subject to any rights."
Authorities emphasized that Orano remains liable for unpaid taxes and environmental responsibilities.
Niger Deepens Rift with Orano Group
This cancellation is part of a broader confrontation between Niger’s military government and the French Orano Group, which has operated in Niger’s uranium sector for decades.
Since the coup in July 2023, Nigerien authorities have been progressively dismantling the long-standing uranium partnership with France.
In June 2024, Orano lost its mining license for the Imouraren deposit—one of the largest untapped uranium reserves in the world. A year later, Niger nationalized Somaïr, a uranium mining company controlled by Orano, which operates Niger’s only currently active uranium mine.
The Nigerien government stated these measures aim to reassert control over this strategic natural resource while accusing the French firm of reaping disproportionate benefits from uranium extraction over many years.
Orano denies these claims and has initiated arbitration proceedings through the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
The company has already secured interim protective measures in the Somaïr dispute, legally blocking Niger’s plan to sell its stockpile of 1,000 tons of uranium.
The cabinet also approved the creation of a new state-owned enterprise named Teloua Uranium Protection Company (TSUMCO SA), which will replace the previously nationalized Société des Mines de l’Aïr.
According to the government, “Teloua” refers to an underground aquifer located beneath the former COMINAK uranium mine near Arlit, which operated from 1978 to 2021 under Orano’s management.
Nigerian authorities accuse the French group of causing what they describe as “serious impacts” on soils, water resources, and biodiversity around the mining sites.
Source: ecofinagency
Original: toutiao.com/article/1865670976509959/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author