Orano Initiates Arbitration Against Niger Over Uranium Mining License
French nuclear fuel company Orano initiated international arbitration against Niger in June after Niamey revoked the mining license of its subsidiary Imouraren. The Imouraren mine contains an estimated 200,000 tons of uranium and was originally scheduled to begin production in 2015. However, the 2011 Japanese nuclear disaster caused a collapse in global uranium prices, halting these plans. After years of delays, Niger’s ruling military junta has warned that Orano’s license will expire on June 19 unless work resumes on the site. Despite concrete proposals to begin mining, Niamey revoked Ourano’s license. The dispute escalated earlier this month when Nigerien authorities seized control of the Somer uranium mine. Orano, which owns 63.4% of the mine, has decided to initiate arbitration against Niamey after repeated attempts at mediation failed.
source: africa news
