The permit of a French fuel producer to operate at one of the world’s largest uranium mines in Niger has been revoked by the country’s military government, according to the company.
Orano had been granted permission to operate at the Imouraren mine in northern Niger, which holds an estimated 200,000 tonnes of the metal crucial for nuclear energy production.
Due to persistent delays in production, the West African nation had cautioned that Orano’s license would expire unless work resumed at the site.
Around a week before the deadline on June 11th, Orano announced the commencement of work.
However, Orano disclosed on Thursday that its permit had been revoked, amidst growing tensions between France and Niger’s ruling junta.
Since seizing power in last year’s coup, Niger’s military has been scaling back its connections with France while forging closer ties with Russia.
Relations with France reached a low point in December when the junta expelled French troops deployed to combat Islamist militants in the region.
The military government also pledged to reassess foreign mining concessions in the country following its rise to power.
“Orano fears that this decision to withdraw the mining permit for the deposit will have a negative impact on the economic, social and societal development of the region,” the company said in a statement.
It reserved the right to take legal measures against the withdrawal and “remains willing to keep all channels of communication open with the Niger authorities on this subject”, Orano added.
The government of Niger, one of the largest uranium producers globally, has not responded to Orano’s statement.
However, it had previously issued a warning that it would revoke Orano’s license if development work had not commenced at Imouraren by June 19.
Mining operations were scheduled to start there in 2015, but production was suspended following a decline in world uranium prices after the 2011 Japanese nuclear disaster.
The French company has maintained a presence in Niger for over 50 years.
A uranium mine in Akokan has been shut down since 2021, but Orano operates another one in the northern region of Arlit.