Niger

Niger Nationalizes Uranium Mine Operated by French Company

Published JUN 20 2025

Story

Above: Somaïr uranium plant, Niger. Image credit: Maurice ASCANI/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

The Facts

Niger's government announced plans on Thursday to nationalize French nuclear fuel company Orano's uranium joint venture Somaïr, the latest escalation in the dispute between the two countries since the Nigerien military took power in 2023.
BBC News
TimesLIVE
In a televised statement, the Nigerien government accused the French state-owned company of "irresponsible, illegal and disloyal" behavior and of appropriating a disproportionately high share of the uranium mined at the plant. Orano declined to comment on the allegations.
Dw.Com
Newscentral.Africa
Orano holds a 63% stake in Somaïr, with the rest held by Niger's state-owned Sopamin. However, the French venture, operating three mines in Niger as part of a government joint venture, lost operational control in December 2024 when military authorities seized the mine and blocked exports.
Mining Technology
Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service
Yahoo! News
Niger is the world's seventh largest uranium producer with significant reserves, including the Imouraren deposit with an estimated 200,000 tons of uranium, one of the world's largest reserves, for which Orano held the development rights before operating licenses were revoked by the Nigerien authorities.
The Associated Press
Alarabiya
In 2024, the state of Niger also withdrew Orano's operational control over its third major mine, Cominak, in which the French group holds a majority stake of over 60%, with the French company initiating several international arbitration proceedings to regain control of its mining operations.
Newscentral.Africa
Agenzia Nova
This comes as the military governments of Niger's allies Burkina Faso and Mali are also seeking greater control over natural resources, with Mali announcing the construction of a gold refinery in partnership with Russia's Yadran Group earlier this week.
BBC News
Business Insider

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The nationalization of Niger represents a justified assertion of sovereignty over natural resources that have been exploited by France for decades as part of its neo-colonial policy, with minimal benefit to the Nigerien people. The military government's actions address legitimate grievances about unfair uranium pricing and disproportionate profit sharing that impoverished Niger despite its mineral wealth.

Brasil de Fato

Rosa

Narrative B

The nationalization is the latest evidence of the Nigerien military junta's arbitrary rule and blind hatred of the West. It undermines international investment confidence, damaging the economy of the poverty-stricken country and jeopardizing hundreds of jobs while strengthening Russian influence in a strategically important uranium-producing region that is critical to the world's nuclear energy supply.