(Ecofin Agency) - During a roundtable in December 9, 2016, the council of ministers of Niger has decided to grant mining firms XANTUS and Endeavour Mining, new prospection permits in Tillabéry and Agadez. According to the approved related agreements, the two firms should respectively invest in lithium and gold exploration in Niger.

In regard to details, XANTUS will receive in Tillabéry four mining permits, namely the Dibilo, Dingoaba, Namaga 2 and Boungou permits. The Tortola-based firm will invest in each of the zones covered by these permits, over the three years following the signing of agreements, a minimum of $3,210,900 to conduct its exploration activities to discover lithium and related substances deposits.

Endeavour Mining will for its part, through its subsidiary, Endeavour Niger, which is based in Niger, will get two mining permits, namely the Darguiti and Nassile permits, in Tillabéry. It will, over three years, invest in each of the areas covered by the permits, $2,495,725 to search for gold and related substances. In Agadez, the firm will receive the “Tinkeradet 1” permit where it will invest over three years, a minimum of $2,029,750.

Niger’s subsoil is renowned for being rich in uranium, despite other minerals being mined (gold and coal are some). From 2007 to 2011, the mining sector represented 9% of the country’s gross domestic product.

Louis-Nino Kansoun