NIGER’S military government has taken the decision to temporarily suspend the issuance of new mining licences, coupled with an initiation of an audit of the sector, as revealed by the mines ministry in a statement dated January 22. The reason behind the licence suspension remains undisclosed in the statement made available to Reuters on Thursday, and attempts to seek clarification from the mines minister have been met with no response.
Niger, a West African nation, holds a prominent position as the continent’s top source of high-grade uranium ores and stands as the world’s seventh-largest producer of uranium, a crucial radioactive metal utilised in nuclear energy production. The country hosts a significant uranium mining operation in the north, managed by France’s state-owned Orano. Despite a military coup in July of the preceding year, these operations have persisted.
The mining sector also features several artisanal gold mines, with Ghana’s Nguvu Mining claiming ownership of the sole commercial gold mine in the southwest region. The recent decision by the military government to suspend new mining licences and conduct an audit impacts not only uranium operations but also the broader mining landscape in the country.
The move raises questions about the motivations behind the suspension and the potential ramifications for the mining industry in Niger. Observers are closely monitoring the situation for further developments and the eventual outcomes of the sector audit ordered by the military government.
(with Reuters)