Niger revokes French firm's permit for big uranium mine
- In Reports
- 09:53 PM, Jun 21, 2024
- Myind Staff
Niger's military government has cancelled the operating permit of a French fuel producer at one of the world's largest uranium mines, according to the company. Orano was previously authorised to operate at the Imouraren mine in northern Niger, which holds an estimated 200,000 tonnes of uranium, crucial for nuclear energy production.
Due to significant delays in production over the years, the government of the West African nation had issued warnings that Orano's license would expire unless operations resumed at the site.
On June 11, just a week before the deadline, Orano announced that it had resumed work at the Imouraren uranium mine. However, on June 20, Orano reported that its operating permit had been revoked. This decision coincides with growing tensions between France and Niger's military junta.
Since the military takeover in Niger's coup last year, the government has been actively reducing its connections with France while forging closer relationships with Russia. This shift in geopolitical alliances appears to have influenced the decision to withdraw Orano's permit, impacting the operation at one of the world's significant uranium deposits critical for nuclear energy production.
Relations between Niger and France deteriorated significantly in December when the junta expelled French troops who were stationed in the region to combat Islamist militants. Since taking power, the military government has also pledged to reassess foreign mining contracts within the country.
In response to the recent withdrawal of its mining permit at the Imouraren uranium deposit, Orano expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on the economic, social, and community development of the region. The company stated in a press release that it reserves the right to pursue legal actions against this decision. Orano also emphasised its willingness to maintain open communication channels with Nigerien authorities regarding the matter.
The government of Niger, a major global producer of uranium, has not responded to Orano's recent statement regarding the withdrawal of its mining permit at the Imouraren uranium deposit. Previously, however, the government had issued warnings that Orano's license would be revoked if development work did not commence at Imouraren by June 19.
Mining operations were originally scheduled to begin at Imouraren in 2015, but production was halted due to a decline in global uranium prices following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. Orano, which has been operating in Niger for over 50 years, manages another uranium mine in the northern region of Arlit, although a mine in Akokan has been closed since 2021.
Image Source: News.az
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