NIAMEY, Niger – In a significant escalation of its standoff with France, Niger’s military-led government has seized control of a major uranium mine operated by French nuclear company Orano, citing alleged violations of shareholder agreements and broader concerns over foreign influence in the country’s mining sector.
The junta, which came to power in a July 2023 coup, accused Orano of exceeding its permitted 63.4% stake in its local affiliate and criticized the company for halting operations, withdrawing French staff, and indicating it may divest its assets in Niger. The government claims the takeover will ensure “healthier and more sustainable management” of national resources, according to minutes from a recent cabinet meeting.
Orano strongly condemned the move, describing it as “the latest step in an ongoing strategy by the military authorities to expel Orano from Niger.” The company said litigation is now its only option and confirmed it has launched international arbitration proceedings.
Geopolitical Shift in the Sahel
The mine seizure is the latest flashpoint in a broader geopolitical realignment sweeping the Sahel region. In recent years, military juntas in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have expelled French and European forces, while forging new security and economic partnerships with Russia, Turkey, and other non-Western states.
This anti-Western pivot is also playing out in the extractive industries. Foreign companies, particularly Western mining firms, have faced stricter regulations, contract renegotiations, and even detentions of key personnel. In Mali, Canadian miner Barrick is currently fighting to retain control of its Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex, which was placed under state administration amid a tax dispute. Similarly, Australian firm Resolute Mining reached a $160 million settlement after Malian authorities detained its CEO and two staff in late 2023.
“Moves like these will further discourage Western investment in the region,” noted Francois Conradie, political analyst at Oxford Economics. “Companies will likely redirect their efforts toward more stable environments, such as Côte d’Ivoire.”
Uranium’s Strategic Importance
Niger holds approximately 6% of the world’s uranium reserves, making it one of the top global suppliers of the nuclear fuel. The Somair mine, now nationalized, has long been a critical component of Orano’s uranium supply chain. The company had already seen its nearby Imouraren project license revoked in 2023, and reports indicate that Nigerien security forces recently raided Orano offices and detained its local manager, further inflaming tensions.
Despite the fallout, the junta insists its actions are motivated by a desire for greater sovereignty and fairer revenue distribution from natural resources. In Mali, officials claim recent reforms have added more than 700 billion CFA francs (approx. $1.2 billion) in revenue to state coffers. Gold mining contributes 25% to Mali’s budget, while it accounts for about 14% of state income in Burkina Faso.
Orano, meanwhile, continues to pursue multiple international legal challenges in response to what it describes as unlawful interference in its operations.