A year and four months after the junta took power in Niger, Orano’s (formerly Areva) presence in the country becomes even more complicated. In a press release, published on Wednesday, December 4, the company majority owned by the French State “note the loss of operational control” of the Société des mines de l’Aïr (Somaïr), a joint company of which he remains the main shareholder (with 63.4%) and of which the Nigerien State owns the rest.
Orano thus loses control of its only uranium mine (the fuel that allows nuclear power plants to operate) currently operational in Niger, in Arlit. Through another subsidiary, the French company already closed, in 2021, its first mine in the country, Akouta.
Created in 1968, Somaïr employs around 750 people and an equivalent number of subcontractors. Orano says he suffers “interference” in corporate governance, stating that “Decisions made during the company’s board of directors no longer apply”. “Is there uranium in our soil and Orano accuses us of interference?, responds an advisor to the Nigerien government, questioned by the world. Orano has been taking advantage of our country’s natural resources for fifty years, dictating their conditions. It’s over. We want to regain control of our affairs. We told the French, but they don’t seem to understand. »
According to Orano, Nigerien representatives in Somaïr confirmed “its refusal to export production” of the mine, during the board meeting on Tuesday, December 3. Since the coup d’état of July 26, 2023, a stock of one thousand tons of uranium has been blocked at the Arlit site, with an estimated value of almost 300 million euros, according to the company. At issue: the junta’s persistence in keeping its border with Benin – through which Orano usually exports the mineral – closed due to a diplomatic crisis with this neighboring country.
A loss of 133 million euros
In October, the French group proposed several alternatives to the regime, including exporting uranium through Namibia. “All our proposals went unanswered”lamented a spokesperson on October 23. A week later, Orano announced its desire to suspend production in Niger. However, activity continues on the site. However, without exports, the continuation of production “The financial situation is deteriorating more every day” of Somaïr, considers the group.
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