Niger seizes uranium assets from orano in historic move

The Nigerien government formally announced on May 18, 2026, during a ministerial session, the establishment of a state-owned uranium mining company and the revocation of the mining concession previously held by the French firm Orano at the Arlit site. This landmark decision, endorsed under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the Republic, signifies the definitive conclusion of France’s 50-year dominance in Niger’s uranium sector.

The newly formed public entity, named Teloua Safeguarding Uranium Mining Company (TSUMCO SA), has taken over all assets of the Société des Mines de l’Aïr (SOMAÏR SA), which was nationalized in 2025. TSUMCO SA now controls one of the world’s most significant uranium deposits, with reserves estimated at 200,000 tonnes based on available geological data.

Gradual shift in uranium governance since 2023

The removal of Orano from Niger’s uranium landscape was not an abrupt decision. Since the July 2023 coup, authorities in Niamey have systematically dismantled foreign control. Key milestones include the withdrawal of Orano’s operating license in 2024, the nationalization of SOMAÏR in 2025, and the creation of TSUMCO SA in May 2026. The name Teloua, inspired by the underground aquifer beneath the former COMINAK mining site, symbolizes the government’s commitment to reclaiming sovereignty over its mineral wealth. Authorities have also highlighted Orano’s alleged failure to manage radioactive waste, citing millions of tonnes left untreated since the 1970s—posing threats to local communities and ecosystems.

Orano challenges decision amid export restrictions

Orano, majority-owned by the French state, has initiated multiple international arbitration proceedings against the government of Niger. An arbitral tribunal has already ordered Niamey to halt uranium exports from SOMAÏR, where an estimated 1,300 tonnes of uranium concentrate—valued at €250 million by Orano—remain in storage. The Nigerien Minister of Mines, Ousmane Abarchi, described these legal maneuvers as “judicial harassment.”

The outcome of the ongoing international arbitration will determine whether TSUMCO SA can legally sell its uranium on global markets. No official timeline has been disclosed regarding the resolution of the dispute.