French uranium mining company Orano stated on Tuesday it is “very worried” after losing contact with its representative in Niger amidst a growing standoff with the country’s military government.
The company reported receiving information about raids on Monday targeting the offices of its subsidiaries in Niger, a key uranium supplier.
In a statement to AFP, Orano confirmed reports of operations by Niger law enforcement at the Niamey headquarters of its Somair, Cominak, and Orano Mining Niger subsidiaries, including the seizure of equipment.
“We are very worried about the situation as we have not been able to contact the Orano representative in Niger at this stage,” the statement conveyed.
Orano had previously announced in late 2024 that it had lost operational control of its Niger subsidiaries, leading to “very limited information on the situation in Niger.”
Relations between Niger and France have been strained since the 2023 military coup, with Orano becoming a focal point of the tensions.
Orano held a minimum 60 percent stake in its three Nigerien subsidiaries and has initiated two international arbitration cases against the Niger government.
The company estimates that approximately 1,300 tonnes of uranium, valued at nearly $300 million, remain at the Sormair site.