Orano lodges second arbitration against Niger

Tuesday, 21 January 2025

Orano said it has filed its request for arbitration with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.

"This litigation is now Orano's last possible recourse, after several attempts at amicable resolution have gone unanswered," the French company said, adding that the state's "obstruction of the commercialisation of production, as well as the suppression of Orano's offtake rights, have only aggravated SOMAÏR's financial situation and the prejudice suffered by Orano".

The group recognised the loss of operational control of SOMAÏR - which is 63.4% owned by Orano, and 36.6% owned by Niger state-owned mining assets company SOPAMIN on 4 December.

"In this context, Orano, the majority shareholder, plans to claim damages and assert its rights over the inventory corresponding to SOMAÏR's production," the company said.

Orano filed an initial request for arbitration filed against the State of Niger concerning the withdrawal of its mining licence for the Imouraren project on 20 December.

"Orano expresses its deepest regret regarding the evolution of the situation and the position of the State of Niger, which weigh heavily on the employees of the group's mining subsidiaries and on local communities," the company said in the new statement.

SOMAÏR had been facing financial difficulties following the July 2023 coup d'état in Niger, since when it has been unable to resume uranium sales. In November, SOMAÏR's board voted to suspend expenses related to production activities in order to prioritise the payment of salaries. SOPAMIN's representatives abstained from that vote, and Orano later said the application of the resolution had been prevented.

Arlit is Orano's only currently operational uranium mine in Niger. Last year, the State of Niger withdrew Orano subsidiary Imouraren SA's licence to exploit the Imouraren deposit and Canadian company GoviEx Uranium's mining rights for the Madouela uranium project, but Global Atomic's development of the Dasa uranium mine is continuing, with expressions of support from the Niger government.