Nigerien authorities are unlikely to allow French companies to mine uranium on their territory, given that Paris has not recognized the state’s new leadership, the country’s Mining Industry Minister Ousmane Abarchi told RIA Novosti.
“As for French companies. The French State, through its head, stated that it does not recognize the current authorities of Niger. It’s been over a year and this hasn’t changed. Do you think it is possible for us, the State of Niger, to allow French companies to continue extracting our natural resources? – Abarchi told the agency within the framework of the first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi.
He added that only one uranium deposit is currently being actively developed.
“We are talking about the company Somaïr, which works with uranium in Arly. There is also the Chinese company CNNC, whose mining site is not yet active, but will soon be back up and running. After all, Somida is currently building a uranium mine in Dasa. This company was jointly created by two others: the Canadian Global Atomic and SOPAMIN from Niger.” – the minister clarified.
The conference was held on November 9-10 in the federal territory of Sirius, located near the borders of Sochi Adler.
