What You Need to Know
The Paris public prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the disappearance of a uranium shipment from a site in northern Niger, previously managed by the French group Orano. The investigation focuses on organized theft for the benefit of a foreign power, coinciding with escalating tensions over Niger’s nuclear file and Orano’s operations in the region.
Africa. The Paris public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the disappearance of a uranium shipment from a site in northern Niger, previously managed by the French group Orano (formerly known as Areva).
The investigation focuses on “organized theft for the benefit of a foreign power,” amid rising tensions surrounding Niger’s nuclear file between the new military authorities and the French company.
Since the military coup in July 2023, Niger’s government has been in conflict with Orano over control of uranium mines.
In June 2024, the military authorities nationalized the Somair company, a subsidiary of Orano, which managed the Arlit mine in the northern part of the country.
Last November, Orano warned against the departure of a uranium shipment from the Arlit site, where approximately 1,300 tons of the metal were stored.
The company noted a French court ruling issued in September, which stated that the Nigerien state does not have the right to sell or transfer uranium produced by Somair, in which Orano held 63.4% of the shares before nationalization.
Orano and France’s Position
For its part, Orano confirmed that it does not know the quantity of the shipment, its destination, or the identity of potential buyers. However, it clarified that the stockpile dates back to its management of the site and amounts to about 1,600 tons of uranium concentrate, with a market value of approximately $310 million.
Since losing control of its three companies in Niger at the end of 2024, Orano has initiated international arbitration proceedings against Niamey.
Niger is the seventh largest global producer of uranium, which is used in the production of nuclear fuel and medical equipment for cancer treatment. France relies on nuclear energy to generate about 70% of its electricity and used to import around 15% of its uranium needs from Niger before the recent crisis.
Niger has been a significant player in the global uranium market, being the seventh largest producer worldwide. The country’s uranium is crucial for nuclear fuel and medical equipment used in cancer treatment. Since the military coup in July 2023, tensions have risen between Niger’s new military government and Orano, particularly regarding control over uranium mines, leading to nationalization actions against Orano’s subsidiaries in the country.
