Niger’s military government has firmly denied allegations of uranium theft following the opening of an investigation in Paris for organised theft at the Somaïr mining site, previously run by Orano. The response comes amid worsening diplomatic tensions between Niamey and Paris, months after the site in Arlit, northern Niger, was nationalised.
Nationalisation and breakdown with Orano
In June, the junta that took power after the July 2023 coup announced the nationalisation of Société des mines de l’Aïr (Somaïr), previously 63.4% owned by Orano and 36.6% by the Nigerien state. Following the takeover, the regime announced it would sell the uranium produced on the international market. At the end of November, Orano reported that uranium concentrate had left the site without authorisation, triggering a criminal investigation opened in mid-December by the Paris public prosecutor.
Mutual accusations over resource handling
In response to the French legal action, Colonel Ousmane Abarchi, Niger’s Minister of Mines, stated that “the Republic of Niger rejects in the strongest terms any rhetoric equating the exercise of its sovereignty over a national resource to theft.” Minister of Justice Alio Daouda accused Orano of leaving behind unpaid debts amounting to CFA58bn ($95mn) and claimed the company “consistently understated the uranium content” in Niger.
Legal disputes and geopolitical reorientation
Orano has launched multiple international arbitration proceedings against Niger after losing control of its three mining assets: Somaïr, Cominak (shut down since 2021), and the Imouraren deposit. In late September, the company won a ruling in its favour concerning Somaïr. The arbitral tribunal reportedly ordered Niger not to sell the 1,300 tonnes of uranium concentrate still stored at the site, valued at around €250mn ($283mn).
Niger, which accounted for 4.7% of global natural uranium output in 2021 according to the Euratom Supply Agency (ESA), has stated its intent to seek new mining partnerships. Russia and Iran have both expressed interest in developing Niger’s uranium sector.
