https://www.miningweekly.com
Africa|Gold|Iron Ore|Mining|Nuclear
Africa|Gold|Iron Ore|Mining|Nuclear
africa|gold|iron-ore|mining|nuclear

Uranium producer Niger launches mining sector overhaul

A rig at the Dasa uranium project in Niger

A rig at the Dasa uranium project in Niger

25th January 2024

By: Bloomberg

  

Font size: - +

Niger temporarily suspended the granting of new mining licenses, the first step in an audit of its mining sector as it seeks to boost government revenue.

The country will also take stock of existing mining licenses, according to a memo from the mining ministry seen by Bloomberg.

Niger is among the world’s top producers of uranium. France’s Orano, Toronto-based Global Atomic and China Natural Nuclear Corporation are among companies operating in the country.

The mining sector, which also includes gold and iron ore, is an area of “national concern,” according to the government.

“We’re trying to figure out who holds the mining licenses and what reforms need to be implemented in order for the state to increase its profits,” Fatimata Korgom, the deputy secretary general at the mining ministry said in a voice note shared by a junta spokesman.

Niger was hit with sanctions following a July 26 military coup that left the country cut off from the regional bond market and froze its accounts at the regional central bank.

The country recently missed a $38.7-million payment on a commercial bond, bringing the total missed principal and interest payments since the putsch to $485-million.

Last year, the country was forced to cut the 2023 budget by 40% after its Western allies suspended aid.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently visiting Africa, told Radio France Internationale that all the cooperation suspended by Washington could be put back into play if the junta restored democracy and released ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Edited by Bloomberg

Comments

Showroom

Alco-Safe
Alco-Safe

Developed to exceed the latest EN 15964 standards for police breathalysers proving that it will remain accurate and reliable for many years to come.

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Weir
Weir

Weir is a global leader in mining technology. We recognise that our planet’s future depends on the transition to renewable energy, and that...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.098 0.125s - 127pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now