French nuclear fuel company explores sale of Niger mines following breakdown with military regime

French state-owned nuclear fuel company Orano is exploring the sale of its uranium assets in Niger after the collapse of its relationship with the country’s military rulers.

Orano, which operates three uranium mines in Niger through a joint venture with the Russian-backed government that seized power in a coup two years ago, has faced significant challenges, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

It was stripped of rights to one project in June and was forced to halt operations at another shortly after, due to financial difficulties. Orano has explained that since the 2023 coup, which ousted Niger's pro-western government, the country has blocked uranium exports and suspended payments on obligations as a joint venture partner.

These actions have led the company to consider selling its Niger-based operations, according to several sources familiar with the situation. The possible withdrawal of Orano from Niger is seen as a significant sign of the diminishing French influence in the region and the failure of France’s “Françafrique” policy, which aimed to maintain influence over its former African colonies.

France has already withdrawn military personnel from Chad, Mali, and Burkina Faso in recent years, further highlighting the shift in dynamics. The sale of Orano's assets is also politically sensitive for the French government, which owns 90 percent of the company. Reports indicate that both Russian and Chinese buyers are interested in acquiring the assets. In December, Orano announced it no longer controlled any subsidiaries in Niger and had initiated several international arbitration cases against the state.

This month, the company also began legal proceedings against Niger’s junta after its offices were raided by the country’s intelligence agency, leading to the arrest of a local company director. While Orano declined to comment on the sale process, stating that its focus remains on its ongoing arbitration cases, the company confirmed that “several parties have expressed their interests for the mining assets of the group in Niger and are at liberty to submit offers if they wish to.”

Curzon Uranium, part of the Curzon Group, is reportedly among the interested parties. Nick Clarke, the founder of Curzon Uranium, confirmed the company's interest in the assets, stating, “We need to find a peaceful solution to this that gets the product moving.”

He also mentioned being “actively engaged” with an unnamed Middle Eastern investor for a joint purchase, with Chinese and Russian buyers rumored to be involved. “It will be a competitive process,” Clarke added. Niger, while a relatively small player in uranium production, contributes around 5 percent of global output and plays an important role in France’s nuclear industry, supplying approximately 20 percent of the country's natural uranium. 

As global demand for uranium grows, particularly with nuclear energy expansion in countries such as China and the US, analysts have warned of a potential uranium supply crunch. Uranium is a crucial component for nuclear reactor fuel. 

Niger, which is part of the “coup belt” across West and Central Africa, has seen multiple military coups in recent years, with Niger, along with Burkina Faso and Mali, moving closer to Russia while distancing itself from France and other Western nations. The countries have introduced new mining codes granting them a larger share of mining revenues and increased control over the industry.

By Naila Huseynova