Guillaume Dominguez, edited by Alexandre Dalifard / Photo credit: PIERRE VERDY / AFP
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08:52, August 01, 2023
While Niger has been affected by a coup since last Wednesday, the French group Orano is continuing its uranium mining activities in the north of the country. However, since the putsch, the French industrial giant has been concerned about its activity in the country. The group also opened a crisis cell as soon as the coup was announced.
After the coup in Niger, Orano continued its uranium mining activities in the north of the country. But for how long ? Present for nearly fifty years in Niger, the former Areva is a partner in three uranium mines in the country and had begun a process of diversifying its supply several years ago. But since the putsch last Wednesday evening, the French industrial giant is worried about its activity in the country. The group also opened a crisis cell as soon as the coup was announced.
300 Nigerien soldiers secure the Arlit mine
Orano has three uranium mines on site in the north of the country, including that of Arlit, which is still in operation. In a recent press release, the group reports a normal situation on the site and French nationals have been put into telework. The political instability of the country immediately exposes the mining sites to a double security risk, for Michel Galy, geopolitical scientist specializing in sub-Saharan Africa. “At the moment, there are 300 Nigerien soldiers securing the Arlit mine. They could be withdrawn or actually take control of the mine. And the other risk is a reactivation of jihadist attacks,” he said. at the microphone of Europe 1.
In 2010, Orano had to evacuate all French nationals from the Arlit mine after the kidnapping of seven employees by Al-Qaeda. The other risk is that the putschists seek to nationalize the mining sites in order to be able to exploit them. “Not sure that Niger has the capacity immediately, except to think that other external actors would intervene. Russia, for example, which would undoubtedly be very interested in a new source of uranium supply”, explains Michel Galy. Uranium from mines in Niger represents nearly 20% of French imports.