Niger’s military government has withdrawn the operating permit of French fuel producer Orano for the Imouraren uranium mine, one of the world’s largest, the company has confirmed.
Orano, which has operated in Niger for over 50 years, had been licensed to mine at Imouraren, located in northern Niger and holding an estimated 200,000 tonnes of uranium crucial for nuclear energy production. The decision follows years of delays in production, prompting Niger to warn that the licence would expire unless work resumed.
Orano announced on June 11 that operations had resumed, shortly before the deadline. However, on Thursday, the company disclosed that its permit had been revoked, amid strained relations between France and Niger’s ruling junta.
Since the military coup last year, Niger has been reducing ties with France while strengthening relations with Russia. Tensions escalated in December when French troops were expelled from Niger, and the junta pledged to review foreign mining contracts.
Orano expressed concern that the permit withdrawal would adversely affect the economic and social development of the region. The company stated its readiness to explore legal avenues and maintain dialogue with Nigerien authorities.
Niger, a major global uranium producer, has not responded to Orano’s statement. Previously, the government had warned of permit revocation if development did not commence at Imouraren by June 19. Mining at the site was initially planned for 2015 but halted due to a downturn in global uranium prices following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.
In addition to Imouraren, Orano operates another uranium mine in Arlit, northern Niger, while the Akokan mine has been closed since 2021.