Niger accuses French uranium giant Orano of environmental crimes

Niger has escalated its dispute with French nuclear fuel company Orano, accusing the firm of "predatory behaviour" and environmental crimes in connection with the West African nation’s uranium mines.

The military-led government indicated that Orano could face criminal charges for "mass crimes" after authorities reported discovering 400 barrels of radioactive core material in Madaouela, near Arlit, an area where Orano previously operated uranium mines.

Orano, which is 90% state-owned by France, said it had not received any official notification of legal action and denied conducting operations at Madaouela. "Orano does not hold an operating licence for the Madaouela site and has conducted no operations there," the company stated in a written response to Reuters’ inquiries.

Justice Minister Alio Daouda noted that radiation levels in the area were significantly higher than normal, measuring about 7 to 10 microsieverts per hour compared to the typical 0.5 microsieverts. Additionally, tests detected two substances associated with respiratory problems, which could pose health risks to people in the area.

The allegations come in the wake of Niger’s nationalisation of the Somaïr uranium mine in June, which stripped Orano of its 63.4% stake. Last week, Niger began transporting uranium from the site, asserting its sovereign right to do so, despite a World Bank tribunal ruling prohibiting access to the stockpile.

Orano condemned the move as illegal and warned that the uranium transport posed serious safety and environmental hazards, noting it had no proof that the shipment adhered to global safety standards.

Niger is the world’s seventh-largest producer of uranium, a critical material for nuclear fuel and cancer treatments. France, which generates about 70% of its electricity from nuclear power, previously sourced roughly 15% of its uranium from Niger when the country’s mines were fully operational.

The expropriation of Orano’s stake reflects a broader regional trend, with military-led governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea increasingly asserting control over their natural resources. Reuters has previously reported that the Somaïr mine held approximately 1,500 metric tonnes of uranium in stockpiles.

By Tamilla Hasanova