The Nigerien government has terminated its uranium mining concession with French firm Orano Mining, replacing it with a state-owned entity to oversee extraction operations. Authorities in Niamey have announced the creation of Téloua Safeguarding Uranium Mining Company (TSUMCO SA), a move that signals the end of Orano’s 75-year license granted in 1978 for the Arlit uranium deposit.

The new national company will take over from SOMAIR (Société des mines de l’Aïr), which was nationalized last year. TSUMCO SA’s name draws from the Teloua aquifer beneath the Arlit mining region, where the now-defunct COMINAK mine operated by Orano/Areva was located between 1978 and 2021. Government officials highlight environmental concerns, citing “dramatic impacts” on local soils, water resources, and Saharan ecosystems, framing the decision as both a corrective measure and a tribute to affected communities.

Legal dispute escalates between Niamey and Orano

Since August 2024, Nigerien mining regulations have imposed a 25 million CFA franc annual surface royalty per square kilometer on non-operational concession areas. Authorities allege Orano failed to meet payment deadlines following a formal notice in September 2025, providing legal grounds to revoke its mining rights. The government also insists Orano remains liable for unpaid taxes and environmental obligations from past agreements.

The French group has filed multiple lawsuits since SOMAIR’s nationalization in mid-2025, with Niger’s Mines Minister Ousmane Abarchi accusing the company of “judicial harassment” aimed at obstructing uranium exports. This latest development deepens tensions between Niger and France, compounding broader disputes over security, economic policies, and strategic interests.