The Nigerien government finalized a landmark decision on May 18, 2026, during a cabinet meeting, to establish a national uranium mining company and revoke the mining concession held by the French firm Orano at the Arlit site. This move, ratified under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the Republic, formally concludes six decades of French dominance in Niger’s uranium sector.
New national company takes over uranium operations
The newly formed public entity, Teloua Safeguarding Uranium Mining Company (TSUMCO SA), has assumed control of all assets previously held by SOMAÏR SA, the nationalized Société des Mines de l’Aïr in 2025. The company now oversees one of the world’s most significant uranium deposits, with estimated reserves totaling 200,000 tonnes, according to official data.
A gradual transition since 2023
The decision to oust Orano did not occur overnight. Since the July 2023 coup, Niamey has systematically dismantled foreign control: withdrawal of Orano’s operating license in 2024, nationalization of SOMAÏR in 2025, and the creation of TSUMCO SA in May 2026. The name Teloua—a nod to the underground aquifer beneath the former COMINAK mine—symbolizes the government’s commitment to reclaiming its resources. Authorities have also accused Orano of failing to address millions of tons of radioactive waste accumulated since the 1970s, posing severe risks to local communities and the environment.
Orano challenges Niger’s move, exports stalled
Orano, a company majority-owned by the French state, has filed multiple international arbitration claims against Niger. An arbitral tribunal has temporarily barred Niamey from selling uranium extracted by SOMAÏR, which reportedly holds 1,300 tonnes of concentrate, valued at approximately €250 million. Niger’s Minister of Mines, Ousmane Abarchi, dismissed these legal maneuvers as « judicial harassment ».
The outcome of the arbitration will determine whether TSUMCO SA can export its uranium production globally. No procedural deadlines have been disclosed at this time.