Niger state-owned company Timersoi National Uranium Company (TNUC) has signed a memorandum of co-operation (MOC) with Russian company Uranium One Group (part of Rosatom). The document is intended to develop cooperation in uranium mining. The partnership plans to obtain the necessary permits, conduct geological exploration of prospective deposits, and ultimately establish new uranium mining operations at those sites.
TNUC Secretary General Issoufou Tsalhatou stated: “Niger has large-scale plans for developing its uranium mineral resource base and is interested in attracting Russian partners who have reference experience and competencies in managing mining projects based on safety principles. This approach establishes a solid foundation for the successful implementation of projects to develop the country’s strategic resources.”
Pavel Larionov, President of Uranium One Group, noted: “We are combining the unique geological potential of Niger with the advanced technologies of the Rosatom State Corporation’s organisations. At the same time, we will build our joint activities on the principles of sustainable development and a balanced approach to resources. We believe this is an important step in forming long-term Russian-Nigerian cooperation in the mining sector.”
Niger’s Council of Ministers issued a decree in September 2024 establishing TNUC and a company to develop gold mining after revoking permits earlier that year from Orano and Canadian junior GoviEx for their respective Imouraren and Madaouela uranium projects
“The objective pursued through the creation of these two state companies is to enable our country to ensure optimal management of resources derived from gold and uranium mining in complete sovereignty and for the benefit of the Nigerien population,” the council said in a statement. This was the latest step in Niger’s policy to ensure that its planned uranium projects reach production in the near term. The government had previously alleged that Orano and GoviEx were not progressing toward production quickly enough.
Niger had produced uranium commercially since 1971, in operations controlled by French companies. However, in the summer of 2023, a coup d’etat put in place a military government, which said it would review foreign mining concessions and the following January it temporarily suspended the granting of new mining licences, ordering an audit of the sector. French military troops were expelled in December 2023 after which relations with France rapidly deteriorated. In March 2024, the government also cancelled an agreement with the USA, after which American troops were also withdrawn.
Rosatom is not the only foreign company welcomed in Niger. Although mining permits held by French company Orano at Imouraren and Canadian company GoviEx Uranium at Madaouela were withdrawn, Toronto-headquartered Global Atomic continued to develop the high-grade Dasa deposit, with the support of the Niger government.
Speaking on Nigerien national television during a recent visit, Global Atomic President and CEO Stephen Roman expressed his appreciation for the government’s “proactive engagement” in facilitating the development of the project. He noted the “win-win philosophy” that is driving the company’s partnership with the government in the SOMIDA, the operator of Dasa which is 20% owned by the Niger government.
The government has confirmed its intention to continue its partnership in SOMIDA through the life of the mine, Global Atomic said, government officials have been mandated to streamline regulatory approvals and work to facilitate more efficient logistics and quicker transportation times for goods shipped into Niger for the project.
The company is in the process of securing US financing and Canadian Government input regarding an alternative financing solution involving the purchase of a minority joint venture ownership in SOMIDA.
A “first blast” ceremony took place at Dasa in November 2022, and Global Atomic expects commissioning the second half of 2027, although challenges due to financing and logistics delays could see the first uranium shipments delayed to 2028.
