Africa Newsroom — Niger’s government has announced its intention to file a lawsuit against the French nuclear energy company Orano, citing the abandonment of radioactive core samples at a former uranium mining site in the Arlit department. This move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between the two entities, which has been exacerbated by the recent military coup in Niger.
The lawsuit is a direct response to the complex web of legal actions and arbitrations that have unfolded since the coup in July 2023. Niger’s government has accused Orano of neglecting its environmental responsibilities, leaving behind hazardous materials that pose a threat to local communities and the environment. According to government officials, the abandoned core samples are a clear violation of international agreements and environmental standards.
This dispute has deep historical roots, as Niger has long been a major supplier of uranium to France, which has utilized the resource for its nuclear power program. However, Niger has grown increasingly dissatisfied with the terms of this partnership, feeling that it has not reaped the full benefits of its natural resources. The government’s decision to nationalize the SOMAÏR mine, which is operated by Orano, in June 2025, was a direct response to what it perceives as an imbalanced relationship.
The nationalization of SOMAÏR followed the removal of Orano’s operational control from the mine in December 2024. Niger’s military government justified this move by stating that Orano had taken an excessive share of the uranium commercialized from the mine, amounting to 86.3% since operations began in 1971, despite holding only a minority equity stake.
Orano, however, has not taken these actions lightly. The company filed a formal lawsuit in Niger’s courts on July 9, 2024, claiming arbitrary arrest, illegal detention, and unjust confiscation of property related to its personnel and assets in Niger. This lawsuit was followed by two arbitration cases filed against Niger at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), concerning the withdrawal of its mining license and the seizure of operational control of the Somair mine.
The implications of this lawsuit are significant for both Niger and Orano. For Niger, it represents a bold step towards asserting greater control over its natural resources and ensuring that the benefits of uranium mining are more equitably distributed among its citizens. For Orano, it poses a major challenge to its operations in Niger and could potentially impact its global business.
As the lawsuit progresses, it will be crucial to monitor the outcomes and their broader implications for the mining industry in Africa and the international community’s approach to natural resource management. This case is more than just a legal battle between two companies; it is a testament to the evolving dynamics of resource nationalism and the struggle for equitable development in the continent.
Source: Sputnik News
Additional reporting by ImNews
