Tensions Escalate With Junta As Orano Warns Of Deteriorating Financial Situation At Somair

Orano said Somair is “stifled” by the debts accumulated by its shareholder Sopamin and by its inability to export and obtain proceeds from the sale of its products, even though it has quality industrial facilities and mineral reserves which should permit production to continue until 2040.

Orano added that Somair’s financial problems would also affect Somair’s 750 staff.

It said the site’s “competent and highly-qualified” Nigerien workforce has demonstrated commendable professionalism and resilience in this trying time.

Orano said it considers statements by the minister for mining, Ousmane Abarchi, made to foreign media to be “regrettable” as they indicate a choice which will not resolve the problems facing Somair. “These damaging statements will not alter Orano’s position,” Orano said.

Orano did not say which statements it was referring to, but on 8 November, Abarchi was reported to have announced that Niger was actively seeking to attract Russian investment in uranium and other natural resources.

In an interview with Russia’s state-run Ria Novosti press agency Abarchi said several Russian firms have expressed interest in exploring Niger’s mining opportunities.

“We have already met with Russian companies that are interested in coming to explore and exploit Niger's natural resources ... not only uranium,” Abarchi said.

“With regards to French companies, the French government – via its head of state – has said it does not recognise the Niger authorities,” he said.

Military Rulers Turns Backs On Paris

The Nigerien government, whose leader Abdourahamane Tiani seized power in a July 2023 coup, has previously made clear it would overhaul rules regulating the mining of raw materials by foreign companies.

The nation’s military rulers have turned their backs on Paris, ordering French troops deployed there to leave and instead forging ties with fellow juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali – as well as Iran and Russia.

Tensions between Niger and France, the former colonial ruler, escalated after the junta’s decision to revoke Orano’s licence to operate at the Imouraren uranium mine in June of this year.

The Imouraren deposit is one of the largest in the world and has been a focal point of French investment over the years.

Since its involvement began in the early 2000s, Orano has invested over €1bn ($1.06bn) in developing the mine.

Orano recently announced it would be halting its uranium production in Niger from 31 October, citing a “highly deteriorated” situation and its inability to operate. Orano did not say in its latest statement of this had happened.

Earlier this year, Orano said the coup in Niger led to a halt in imports of critical materials necessary for uranium exploitation in Orano’s Somair mine, such as soda ash, carbonate, nitrates and sulphur.

According to Orano, Somair is the only uranium mine in operation in Niger. It is in Arlit, near the southern edge of the Sahara Desert in the north of the landlocked African country.