The French uranium company Orano has announced that it has lost operational control of its subsidiary in Niger, SOMAÏR, which has been taken over by the Nigerian authorities. SOMAÏR, 63.4% owned by Orano (operator) and 36.6% owned by Niger state-owned mining assets company SOPAMIN, notably operates the Arlit uranium deposits, where it exploits several mines.
SOMAÏR is currently the only uranium producer in Niger and accounts for the entirety of the country’s output (which amounted to 2 ktU in 2022, making Niger the 7th largest producer in the world).
In 2023, the government signed a partnership agreement with Orano, authorising Somaïr to operate the mine until 2040, compared to 2029 previously. However, in June 2024, the Nigerien authorities revoked the operating permit from Orano for the Imouraren uranium deposit in Niger, one of the largest in the world.