A large batch of uranium has disappeared in the African state of Niger. Iran or Russia may be behind this

Illustrative photo. Photo: AP

This African country has been ruled by a military junta since July 2023, after a military coup, advocating for Niger's full control over its own mineral resources, including uranium. The military authorities of Niger categorically rejected all accusations against them.

Previously, the "Samaire" deposit was managed by the French company Orano. However, after its nationalization was announced in June, Niger's authorities stated that the uranium extracted by the French company would still be supplied to the international market.

At the end of November, Orano reported that a batch of uranium from this deposit, where 63.4% belonged to the French side and 36.6% to the government of Niger, had been confiscated and disappeared. In mid-December, an official investigation began in Paris, mentioning the possible benefit to a foreign state.

Niger's military authorities reacted harshly to these statements on December 27. The Minister of Mines, Colonel Ousmane Abarchi, stated that Niger strongly denies attempts to present the exercise of its sovereign right to national resources as theft. According to him, one cannot steal what is in the legitimate possession of the state.

In December 2024, Orano, 90% owned by the French state, effectively lost control of three subsidiaries in Niger but initiated a series of international arbitration proceedings. In September, a court prohibited Niger from selling uranium from the "Samaire" deposit, which holds about 1,300 tons of concentrate worth about 250 million euros. After this decision, the batch of uranium disappeared.

Earlier, in March 2024, information emerged about a possible secret agreement between Niger and Iran on uranium supplies. There were also reports of a meeting between Niger's head of government and then-Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, where, according to US intelligence, details of cooperation might have been discussed.

After the military came to power, Niger openly demonstrates its readiness to seek new international partners and considers cooperation with Iran or Russia. Russia had expressed interest in developing Niger's uranium back in July. Earlier, the head of PMC "Wagner," Yevgeny Prigozhin, called the coup in Niger "good news" and offered his assistance to the new authorities.

According to Euratom Supply Agency data for 2021, Niger provides about 4.7% of the world's natural uranium production. Before the coup, the country supplied about 20% of the uranium used by France. After the change of government, Europe is increasingly looking for alternative sources of uranium in Australia, China, and Kazakhstan.

• 0
• 0
• 0
• 3
• 3
• 0
• 2
• 0