Fri Jun 20 22:22:09 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the text:
**Summary:**
Niger’s military government is nationalizing the Somair uranium mine, operated by French nuclear firm Orano, marking a significant shift away from France and towards closer ties with Russia. The government accuses Orano of taking a disproportionate share of the mine’s uranium production since its inception. Orano, a French state-owned company, is contesting the nationalization, threatening legal action and seeking compensation for damages and uranium stocks. This move follows Niger’s termination of Orano’s operational control over its other key mines and is part of a broader trend of mine nationalizations in West African countries with military governments.
**News Article:**
**Niger Nationalizes French-Operated Uranium Mine Amid Shifting Alliances**
*Niamey, Niger* – Niger’s military government announced the nationalization of the Somair uranium mine, currently operated by French nuclear firm Orano, escalating tensions between the two nations and signaling a deepening partnership with Russia. The move, announced Thursday, accuses Orano of unfairly benefiting from the mine’s uranium production since its opening in 1971.
“Faced with the irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behaviour by Orano… the government of Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalise Somair,” Nigerien authorities stated, referencing France’s “openly hostile” stance since the 2023 coup that brought the military government to power.
Orano, 90% owned by the French state, has operated in Niger for 50 years and holds a 63% stake in Somair, with Niger’s state-owned Sopamin owning the remainder. The government claims Orano has taken 86.3% of the mine’s output. The company has rejected the accusations and vowed to fight the nationalization, asserting its right to compensation for damages and its claim to existing uranium stockpiles.
“Orano intends to claim compensation for all of its damages and assert its rights over the stock corresponding to Somair’s production to date,” the company said in a statement.
This action follows Niger’s earlier decision to remove Orano’s operational control over its three main uranium mines, including the vast Imouraren deposit. The nationalization of Somair underscores Niger’s growing estrangement from France and its increasing alignment with Russia. The trend also reflects a broader pattern of mine nationalizations in West African nations with military governments, including Mali and Burkina Faso. The company sued the Nigerien authorities last month after the disappearance of its director and the raiding of its local offices.
First Piper 