(Ecofin Agency) - Niger’s uranium industry has undergone major changes, with France's Orano and Canada's GoviEx recently losing control over their operations. Meanwhile, Niamey still supports Global Atomic, also Canadian, for its Dasa uranium mine project. 

Global Atomic reiterated on November 17 its commitment to initiating uranium production in Niger, praising the government for supporting their Dasa venture. At the same time, Niger's decision to seize control of uranium projects from other foreign companies, including the French Orano.

While in Niger in November the Company’s executive team held three successful meetings with a Niger Government Committee consisting of representatives from all ministries. Progress was made on all fronts to facilitate ongoing operations at the Dasa Mine.https://t.co/0H8H0oBXCj

— Global Atomic Corporation (@AtomicCorp) December 17, 2024

Global Atomic, a Canadian firm, is in talks with a government committee to assess its logistical options, as the main export route to the port of Cotonou is currently unavailable due to the Niger-Benin border closure. The company is considering three alternative sea routes, one of which might involve transit through Algeria.

This year, the Niger government has blocked Orano's uranium exports and also opposed the aerial export of the ore. While Orano's ordeal appears to be linked to strained relations between Niger and France, the reasons behind the revocation of mining rights from GoviEx, another Canadian company involved in Niger's uranium sector, have not been officially disclosed. Unlike GoviEx, which has not made substantial progress on its Madaouela uranium project despite attracting over $200 million in financing interest, Global Atomic has already begun constructing the Dasa mine.

GOVIEX URANIUM AND GOVIEX NIGER FILE ARBITRATION REQUEST AGAINST THE REPUBLIC OF NIGER IN RELATION TO MADAOUELA PROJECT
Read here - https://t.co/zFyCOKEG6U#Uranium $GXU $GVXFF pic.twitter.com/h5lR7ULccB

— GoviEx (@GoviExUranium) December 9, 2024

Niamey took over the country’s only active uranium mine from Orano, making Dasa a vital component of Niger’s uranium industry. Scheduled to start production in 2026, the Dasa mine could boost Niger's uranium exports. To achieve this, Global Atomic is actively seeking funding and is in talks with an American bank, and potential investors, to form a joint venture to support the project's development.

This article was initially published in French by Emiliano Tossou

Edited in English by Ola S. Akinocho