In a decisive move to reclaim control over its uranium resources, the Government of Niger has terminated its long-standing agreement with the French mining giant Orano Mining. This decision follows the creation of a new state-owned company, TSUMCO SA, which will now oversee uranium mining operations in the country, replacing the previously nationalized Société des Mines de l’Aïr (SOMAIR).
During a high-level cabinet meeting chaired by President Abdourahamane Tiani, the government approved a decree establishing TSUMCO SA. The name Teloua—derived from an underground aquifer in the Arlit mining region—was chosen to symbolize a commitment to addressing the severe environmental damage caused by decades of uranium extraction. Authorities highlighted the devastating impact on local ecosystems, water resources, and Saharan landscapes surrounding the mining sites, framing the move as both a corrective measure and a tribute to affected communities.
legal battle brews with orano over unpaid fees
The Nigerien government has imposed a superficial royalty of 25 million West African CFA francs per square kilometer annually on inactive mining perimeters in Arlit. Orano Mining failed to comply with this regulation, prompting an official notice in September 2025. The company’s refusal to pay triggered the legal grounds for the cancellation of its exploitation contract. Niger’s authorities also allege that Orano remains non-compliant with historical fiscal and environmental obligations tied to its earlier agreements.
Since the nationalization of SOMAIR in mid-2025, the French conglomerate has initiated multiple lawsuits against the Nigerien state, a move criticized by Niger’s Minister of Mines, Ousmane Abarchi, as judicial harassment. These legal challenges have reportedly aimed to disrupt Niger’s uranium exports to international markets. With the establishment of TSUMCO SA, tensions between Niamey and Orano are expected to escalate further amid broader geopolitical shifts in the region.