Orano continues to function a single giant uranium mine in Niger however its proposed plan for the event of the Imouraren deposit “doesn’t meet the authorities’ expectations,” Niger’s mining ministry stated in a letter seen by Bloomberg. A junta spokesman confirmed the letter dated June 11.
“The second and ultimate discover will finish on June 19, after which date the corporate’s working allow shall be revoked,” the letter stated. A Niger mining ministry official couldn’t be reached for remark. An Orano spokesperson didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Imouraren is without doubt one of the world’s greatest uranium deposits, with reserves estimated at 200,000 tons. Niger’s transfer follows years of delays since Orano obtained the allow in 2009, in line with the letter. Exploitation was initially scheduled for 2012, however the fall in uranium costs on the world market delayed operations. Niger accounted for about 4% of worldwide uranium mine manufacturing in 2022, in line with the World Nuclear Affiliation.
One of many world’s poorest international locations, Niger expelled French forces final 12 months and ended a decade-long safety settlement with the US, which has till mid-September to withdraw its troops stationed within the nation. In April, 100 Russian army instructors arrived within the capital, Niamey, to coach Niger’s forces on how one can use air protection techniques equipped by Moscow.
France has relied on Niger for as a lot as 15% of its uranium must gas nuclear reactors that account for 65% of the nation’s electrical energy manufacturing, Le Monde reported final 12 months, citing Orano. European Union utilities trusted Niger, the world’s seventh-largest producer, for a few quarter of their uranium provides in 2022, in line with the Euratom Provide Company.
Orano has a majority stake in Imouraren SA with Niger’s Sopamin SA controlling the remaining 33.35%.
Orano presently operates Somaïr, an open-pit mine within the northern Arlit area, after the closure of Cominak in 2021. Mine actions at Somaïr resumed in February after a manufacturing stoppage of a number of months following the coup. Imouraren has been suspended since 2015, in line with the corporate’s web site web site.
(By Katarina Höije)