French nuclear fuels company Orano announced Wednesday that authorities in Niger have taken control of its Somair uranium mine, escalating tensions between the military-led government and foreign investors.
Orano, which holds a 63% stake in the mine, said that decisions made at Somair’s board meetings are no longer being implemented. Niger’s government owns the remaining 37% of the mine.
At one point, Niger provided about 15% of Orano’s uranium supply when its mines were operating at full capacity. This latest move follows Niger’s decision in June to revoke Orano’s mining permit for its Imouraren subsidiary. The company has also expressed concerns about growing interference in the governance of its Somair operations in recent months.
Operations at the Somair mine were suspended last year after Niger’s authorities halted exports.
