Niger ready to return Orano-produced uranium after mine takeover

Niger is ready to return the uranium produced by Orano SA at the Somair mine to the French nuclear company, two months after unidentified attackers who staged an assault on the capital came dangerously close to the stockpile.

Niger’s military authorities took over the mine in 2024, accusing Orano of planning to halt operations and sell its stake without following proper procedures. The government later removed uranium from the site in violation of an arbitration tribunal ruling, raising concerns about radioactive material being transported through jihadist-affected regions.

About 95,000 tons of concentrated uranium powder — also known as yellowcake — is ready to be sent back to Orano, military ruler Abdourahamane Tiani said in an interview broadcast on state television RTN on Friday.

That’s about 63.4% of the 150,000 tons that was produced at Somair and mined during Orano’s tenure. Before the forced takeover, Orano held a 63.4% controlling stake of Somair with the remaining 36.6% owned by Niger’s state-owned Sopamin.

“Everything that was produced afterward is Nigerien, and it will remain Nigerien,” Tiani said.

Orano has operated in Niger for decades and is among the country’s largest foreign mining partners. In June 2025, Niger unilaterally nationalized the mine, leaving Orano without operational control.

The dispute highlights Niger’s post-coup drive to tighten control over strategic resources and reflects a broader Sahel trend, where military governments have curtailed Western influence while embracing resource nationalism.

Tiani also said Niger is renegotiating its oil deal with China National Petroleum Corporation, which it views as unfair.

“The original sharing agreement was completely unfavorable to Niger,” Tiani said, adding that Niger had requested a review to avoid repeating the mistakes made with uranium. “This caused some misunderstandings, but no partnership runs smoothly forever. We have been working to resolve them.”

(By Kamailoudini Tagba and Katarina Höije)