Orano faces interest from buyers for its uranium mines in Niger

Several parties are positioning to acquire French company Orano’s mining sites in Niger, while the firm pursues international arbitration to protect its assets and nearly €250mn in blocked uranium concentrate.

Partagez:

French group Orano, specialised in uranium extraction, confirmed that several parties have expressed interest in its mining assets in Niger, while maintaining that its priority remains the ongoing international arbitration procedures. The company, over 90% owned by the French state, told AFP on May 17 that it remains “open to dialogue” but aims to protect its interests and those of its employees.

Three mining subsidiaries subject to potential offers

Since December 2024, Orano has lost operational control of its three Niger-based mining subsidiaries: Société des Mines de l’Aïr (Somaïr), Compagnie Minière d’Akouta (Cominak), closed since 2021, and the Imouraren deposit. The latter is among the largest uranium reserves in the world, with approximately 200,000 tonnes of resources. The Nigerien authorities revoked Orano’s operating permit in June 2024. Despite this loss of control, Orano still holds majority stakes of over 60% in these entities.

€250mn worth of uranium concentrate remains blocked

The company stated that around 1,300 tonnes of uranium concentrate, with a market value of €250mn ($271mn), remain blocked at the Somaïr site, with no means of export. The first arbitration proceeding against the Nigerien state was initiated in late December 2024, followed by a second in January 2025 after losing operational control of the site. These cases have been submitted to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

Search operations and escalating local tensions

Tensions escalated in early May when Nigerien security forces searched Orano’s offices in Niamey. The company reported losing contact with its local representative. On May 13, management confirmed that IT equipment and mobile phones from all staff had been confiscated, and that the subsidiary directors had been questioned on-site. Orano has referred the matter to the Nigerien public prosecutor, denouncing arbitrary arrest and illegal detention.

Global production sustained despite local setbacks

Despite the challenges in Niger, Orano continued strong operations across its other sites. In 2023, the company produced over 7,100 tonnes of uranium from its operations in Canada, Kazakhstan, and Niger. In February 2025, the group reported a net profit of €633mn ($687mn) for the year 2024, a sharp rise from €217mn in 2023, with revenue reaching €5.87bn ($6.38bn), up 23%.

  • Populaires ​
Europe accelerates gas storage filling despite declining reserves
Emeren Group signs definitive merger agreement to go private
Eni, BP and TotalEnergies partially evacuate Iraq; Lukoil maintains operations
Russia ready to deliver liquefied natural gas to Mexico
Orano challenges Niger’s decision to nationalize mining company SOMAÏR
Seoul approves definitive decommissioning of South Korea’s first nuclear reactor
South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission officially validates the decommissioning of reactor number one at the Kori plant, initiating an unprecedented project for the national industry scheduled to last until 2037.
EnCore Energy raises uranium output and hails Texas nuclear reforms
Uranium producer enCore Energy surpasses three thousand pounds per day at its Alta Mesa ISR complex and sees three new Texas laws as a strong signal for faster nuclear production permits.
IAEA Confirms Concerns About Iranian Enriched Uranium Stockpile
The International Atomic Energy Agency expresses concerns over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles following the abrupt suspension of inspections at key sites disrupted by recent attacks whose consequences remain uncertain.
India: NPCIL extends deadline to September 30 for BSR reactor proposals
NPCIL has announced an extension until September 30 for industrial proposals concerning Bharat Small Reactors (BSR), following increased interest from the Indian private sector.
Brno rejects EDF lawsuit over Czech nuclear contract
A regional court has upheld the award of two new reactors in the Czech Republic to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, dismissing Électricité de France’s challenge to the €16bn contract in a decisive step for the national energy programme.
EDF anticipates immediate reduction in nuclear output amid heatwave
Facing rising temperatures, EDF anticipates cuts in nuclear production starting early July, primarily due to thermal constraints on rivers used for cooling the power plants.
Fortum selects Westinghouse to study an AP1000 reactor in Finland
The preliminary agreement launches planning and site assessment for a tailored AP1000 reactor, following two years of feasibility study, and enlists Westinghouse and Hyundai to support Fortum’s regional nuclear expansion.
United States: Unprecedented firing of nuclear regulator sparks intense controversy
Donald Trump's unprecedented decision to dismiss Christopher Hanson, a member of the NRC, provokes outrage among former federal officials and raises concerns over the regulatory independence of the U.S. nuclear sector.
Uranium Energy Corp acquires 170 million shares of Anfield Energy Inc.
Uranium Energy Corp strengthens its position in Anfield Energy Inc., now holding approximately 32.4% of the company’s shares following an investment of CAD19.55mn ($14.82mn), significantly expanding its strategic influence in the uranium market.
New York launches major nuclear project to secure its energy supply
New York State plans an advanced nuclear power plant with a 1-gigawatt capacity to meet long-term energy and economic goals, involving significant investment to enhance regional energy independence.
Russia and Mali Sign Trade Agreements and Target Nuclear Energy
Russia strengthens its economic presence in Mali with new agreements, notably in nuclear energy and gold refining, consolidating strategic cooperation within a rapidly evolving geopolitical context.
United States releases additional $100 mn to restart Palisades Nuclear Plant
The US government grants a fourth payment of $100.45 mn to Holtec International to restart the Palisades Nuclear Plant, pending regulatory approval, marking an unprecedented event in the United States.
EDF secures £4.5 billion from Apollo to finance Hinkley Point C
EDF announces a major agreement with Apollo to raise up to £4.5 billion via bonds to finance the British nuclear project Hinkley Point C, whose costs continue to rise significantly.
France: Anne-Isabelle Étienvre Proposed by Élysée to Head the CEA
The Élysée proposes Anne-Isabelle Étienvre, current Director of Fundamental Research at the CEA, as General Administrator to replace François Jacq, recently appointed President of CNES.
Greece Considers Modular Reactors to Decarbonize its Maritime Industry
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced his country's interest in small modular nuclear reactors to meet national energy challenges and decarbonize the maritime sector within the next fifteen years.
TerraPower raises $650 million with NVIDIA for modular reactors
TerraPower, an American nuclear company, secures $650 million funding from investors, including NVIDIA, to develop its Natrium modular reactors in the United States and internationally.
EDF and the French State Agree on €70 Billion Plan for EPR2
EDF and the French state finalize a €70 billion financing plan for six EPR2 nuclear reactors, including a specific territorial coordination framework in Gravelines led by Michel Marbaix, awaiting European approval by 2026.
Newcleo and Nextchem launch joint venture focused on modular nuclear reactors
Maire S.p.A and Newcleo form strategic partnership to industrialise the development of 200 MW modular nuclear power plants, via a joint venture majority-owned by Nextchem.
Four European organisations join forces to develop innovative nuclear reactor
A new European consortium launches the design of a small lead-cooled modular reactor, targeting global commercialisation by 2039, with a demonstration scheduled as early as 2035.
Iran Nuclear: An acknowledged capability long kept quiet
Confidential reports from the IAEA and multiple intelligence agencies confirm Iran's uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels, contradicting Tehran's official statements. EnergyNews.pro retraces the evolution of Iran's nuclear program since 2015, three years before the Trump administration's withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING

Welcome

Your subscription

Included in this subscription:

COMMUNICATE ON ENERGYNEWS