Opportunities and the Need for Sustainable Uranium Mining In Niger

Situated in West Africa, bordered by Nigeria, Chad, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali and Algeria, the Republic of Niger is a landlocked country. Niger gained freedom from the French in 1960, was under military rule for the most part of its recent history and has been prone to frequent terror attacks, droughts and floods. Compared to its more affluent neighbour–Nigeria, Niger has a smaller economy, with its 2019 GDP being calculated at USD 12.928 billion.1

However, what’s interesting is that Niger is the fourth largest producer of Uranium2 and its mines provide roughly 5% of the world’s Uranium mining output.3
Niger also enjoys good relations with many nations in the east as well as the west. It’s a member of the United Nations, African Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Niger has good ties with France and China as well, with both the countries having stakes in Niger’s Uranium mining companies.

Current Mining Companies Operating in Niger

At present, Uranium is mined in two towns in Niger– Arlit and Akokan. Mining is carried out by four companies. “Production is first sold to the partners in proportion to their equity at an ‘extraction price’ determined by the government.”4 All these mines are joint ventures, co-owned by the Niger government and by private companies.