The military government in Niger Republic has seized control of uranium mining operations run by the French nuclear firm, Orano, escalating tensions between Niger and France.
This move follows months of deteriorating relations between the two countries, which began after a military coup ousted Niger’s civilian government in July 2023.
In June, Niger’s new military rulers revoked Orano’s permit to exploit one of the world’s largest uranium deposits, forcing the company to suspend its production.
Orano, a major player in the uranium industry, has a local subsidiary in Niger called Somair, in which the country holds a 36.6% stake.
Despite the seizure, Orano warned of potential interference in its operations, emphasizing that the situation could jeopardize its future in the country.
“The French state, through its head of state, has declared that it does not recognise the current authorities in Niger,” Niger’s Minister of Mines, Colonel Abarchi Ousmane, said in November.
He added, “Does it seem possible to you that we, the state of Niger, would allow French companies to continue extracting our natural resources?”
Niger, which contributes around 5% of global uranium output, had previously supplied up to 20% of France’s uranium imports before the coup.
This supply has now been disrupted, and Orano has struggled to export its uranium concentrate, amounting to 1,150 tonnes worth $210 million (£165 million), due to border closures with Benin Republic.
Orano has vowed to defend its rights through the “competent bodies” but has also expressed a willingness to collaborate with “all stakeholders” to restore a stable and sustainable operating environment.
The military government in Niger has expressed dissatisfaction with how foreign companies, including Orano, have been awarded mining licenses, citing the need for greater profits from the country’s valuable resources.
“The country’s resources must benefit Nigeriens more directly,” a source close to the Nigerien government said, highlighting the growing frustration with the level of control foreign companies, particularly French firms, had over the nation’s mineral wealth.
Experts believe that with French companies now under siege, Russian and Turkish firms could step in to take over operations in Niger’s mining sector.
Niger gained independence from France in 1960, but since then, French companies have maintained a dominant role in the country’s uranium mining industry.
However, the current military leadership, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, is determined to reduce the country’s dependence on Western powers and limit French influence in Niger’s economy and governance.
“We need to take control of our resources, and the time for foreign dominance is over,” said a Nigerien government spokesperson.
The situation has caught the attention of international observers who fear that Niger’s push to reclaim its resources could lead to further economic and political instability.
Many are also concerned about the role that Russia’s expanding influence in Africa, particularly in countries like Niger, is playing in the ongoing tensions.
Niger’s military government has yet to publicly comment on Orano’s latest statement, and it remains unclear whether the company’s operations in Niger will be allowed to resume under the new military leadership.
The government’s refusal to allow French companies to continue their work marks a significant shift in Niger’s foreign policy, one that many believe could have long-lasting impacts on the country’s relationship with its former colonial power.
The impact of the military takeover will likely extend beyond the uranium sector, as the country’s resources such as oil, gold, and agriculture may now be placed under greater scrutiny by the military government.
As the standoff between Niger and France continues, it is clear that the outcome of this dispute will shape the future of Niger’s mining industry and its relationships with foreign companies.
While the situation remains volatile, Niger’s military rulers appear determined to push forward with their plan to reclaim greater control over their national resources.
