Niamey — Niger’s biggest mine workers’ union has pledged its support to the military government in their plan to nationalise Somair, the largest uranium mining operation in the world. They say production will continue despite the tensions between Orano and the French.
Last week, Niger, who seized the Somair Mine in December, announced their plan to nationalise them, accusing Orano for taking a disproportionate part of production.
The move is in line with other West African governments who have taken similar measures to boost the revenue from their natural resources.
Orano, a French state-owned company, did not reply to a comment request on allegations that the company had taken more than it should have.
The EU has said that it is opposed to the Niger plan and reserves the right of legal action.
In a statement released on Saturday, the National Union of Niger Mine Workers (SYNTRAMIN) said that it supported the “sovereign decisions” of Niger’s military leaders, who took power through a coup 2023.
It added that “for more than 50 year…the benefits of this strategic richness have never fairly benefitted Niger”, denouncing decades of “plundering organised for the advantage of foreign interests” without providing any evidence.
Orano owns 63% of Somair while the rest is owned by Niger’s Sopamin, a state-owned company. Orano has taken 86.3% between 1971 when the mine opened and 2024. The government did not elaborate.
SYNTRAMIN has also committed to “mobilise in order to ensure continuity of production and the optimal valorisation our resources” as part of a new state management.
Niger is home to the seventh largest uranium production in the world. Somair, a nuclear fuel supplier in Niamey, plays an important role. Reporting by Portia Corey in Dakar, and Boureima Balima in Niamey. Writing by Maxwell Akalaare Adombila. Editing by Robbie Corey Boulet and Barbara Lewis.
(source: Reuters)
