Energy News
CIVIL NUCLEAR
Niger disputes French firm's uranium move
Niger disputes French firm's uranium move
by AFP Staff Writers
Niamey, Niger (AFP) Nov 1, 2024

Niger's military junta is disputing a decision by French nuclear fuel firm Orano to halt uranium production, according to a document from a state partner in the venture seen Friday by AFP.

Orano announced last month it was stopping production as from Thursday owing to what it termed increasingly difficult operating conditions in the country and financial issues.

Nigerien state company Sopamin is a shareholder with Orano, which holds a majority stake in Somair, the last site which the French group was still operating in the country prior to Thursday.

The French in particular lamented the withdrawal by the junta in June of a permit for one of the largest uranium deposits in the world, Imouraren, and the impossibility of exporting the raw material with Niger's border with Benin closed for what Niamey says are security reasons.

"Despite its status as a co-shareholder, Sopamin was not consulted on this serious decision" to halt production, the company, which has operated for half a century in the country's north, said in a document dated Thursday.

The Nigerien firm complained the decision "lacks transparency" and "violates a number of principles and practices essential to governance and commitments between stakeholders."

Orano said it had proposed an alternative to the Nigerien authorities, namely exporting the uranium to France or Namibia, and expressed regret that there was no reaction to the suggestion.

Niger states in the document seen Friday its wish to "purchase 210 tons of uranium through the natural channel of Sopamin", which it said would "allow Somair to continue its activities".

Currently, 1,050 tons of uranium concentrate from stocks from 2023 and 2024, or around half of the site's average annual production worth an estimated 300 million euros ($360 million), are currently blocked, Orano estimates.

The ruling junta, which took power in a coup in July last year, says it will revamp rules regulating the mining of raw materials by foreign companies in what is the world's seventh-largest uranium producer.

It has also downgraded links with former colonial power France and strengthened ties with new partners including Russia and Iran.

In September, Niger's Council of Ministers adopted a draft decree creating a state entity, "Timersoi National Uranium Company", abbreviated to TNUC.

Related Links
Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Science, Nuclear Technology
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
CIVIL NUCLEAR
Czech body rejects EDF, Westinghouse nuke deal complaints
Prague (AFP) Oct 31, 2024
The Czech antitrust watchdog said Thursday it had rejected complaints from France's EDF and the US's Westinghouse concerning a multi-billion-dollar tender to build two nuclear units in the Czech Republic. The two companies have appealed a decision by the Czech government to hand the contract to South Korea's KHNP. The competition office (UOHS) temporarily blocked the Czech Republic from signing the deal on Wednesday, before passing its verdict a day later. "The proceedings on the proposals b ... read more

CIVIL NUCLEAR
Cobalt copper tandem catalysts transform CO2 into renewable ethanol

Advanced biodegradable plastics achieve unprecedented toughness and sustainability

Vast and GGS Energy launch Project Bravo to power US green fuel production

Baylor engineers introduce ultra-clean biofuel combustion technology

CIVIL NUCLEAR
Solving interface mystery in organic solar cells makes them more efficient

CSIRO facility launches flexible solar technology for broad real-world use

New method enhances solar energy storage and utilization

Quality control in synthetic photosynthesis validates natural light-harvesting mimicry

CIVIL NUCLEAR
Sweden's defence concerned by planned offshore wind power

On US coast, wind power foes embrace 'Save the Whales' argument

Renewables revolt in Sardinia, Italy's coal-fired island

Government action needed for world to meet renewables goal: IEA

CIVIL NUCLEAR
China hopes for 'consistency' in US climate policy

Climate finance billions at stake at COP29

EU greenhouse gas emissions saw 'huge' drop in 2023

Trees and power lines flattened as Cyclone Dana hits India

CIVIL NUCLEAR
Silk Thread Innovation Powers Smart Textile Technology

Direct Observation of Space Charge Layers Inside Fuel Cell Electrolytes

Exploring the cost and feasibility of battery-electric ships

EU's extra tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese EVs angers Beijing

CIVIL NUCLEAR
Scientists develop satellite tool to track plastic on beaches

Ship with suspected toxic waste stranded outside Albania port

Judge tosses New York plastic pollution lawsuit against PepsiCo

India's capital chokes in smog after firework ban flouted

CIVIL NUCLEAR
Azerbaijan: a country steeped in hydrocarbons

'Waiting in vain': year on from pledge, world clings to fossil fuels

Fake X accounts promote COP hosts UAE, Azerbaijan

Canada proposes emissions cap on oil and gas sector

CIVIL NUCLEAR
Perseverance surveys its path as it ascends Jezero Crater

Red Rocks with Green Spots at 'Serpentine Rapids'

NASA selects crew for 45-day simulated Mars mission in Houston

Potential microbial habitats in Martian ice

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.