Name and Location
Imouraren uranium mine, Niger.

Client
Areva will have a 66.65% share in the newly created mining company, with the remaining 33.35% being owned by the State of Niger.

Project Description
The project involves the construction of a uranium mine, with a yearly production of 5 000 t over a life-of-mine of 35 years.

The mine will make Niger the world’s second-largest exporter of the nuclear fuel.

Value
The project involves an initial investment of €1.2-billion.

Duration
Mining is expected to begin in mid-2015.

Latest Developments
French nuclear group Areva will start uranium production from its Imouraren mine from mid-2015, Areva's senior executive VP of mining Olivier Wantz has said.

The giant mine was initially expected to start production in 2012, but the date has been repeatedly postponed amid security fears in the desert north.

In January, Niger announced that Areva had agreed to pay €35-million in compensation for delays to the project. However, Wantz has said that the payment is to ensure security at the site. "Authorities asked us to support the security efforts linked to our activities . . . this has nothing to do with any delays at Imouraren," he said.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Production from Imouraren will start in mid-2015, following delays as a result of political turbulence in the country, including the kidnapping of foreign workers in September 2010 and labour disputes, which triggered strikes in 2012.

Contact Details for Project Information
Areva, tel+331 34 96 12 15, fax +331 34 96 16 54 or email press@areva.com.