Niger's mining company Somair, which is a subsidiary of the French nuclear fuel cycle company Orano, has stopped production of uranium concentrate in Niger due to lack of necessary reagents amid sanctions against Niamey, French media reported on Friday.
Somair used to receive its reagents, such as sulfur, carbonates and sodium hydroxide, via Benin, but the chemicals are currently blocked at the border between Benin and Niger due to sanctions, and the reagents the company had in store have run out, the French radio station reported.
On July 26, a coup d'etat took place in Niger. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani. Following the coup, the Economic Community of West African States suspended all cooperation with Niger and threatened invasion if the mutineers do not reinstate Bazoum.
Niger, which is a former French colony, has rich reserves of uranium, on which France depends. Niger reportedly accounts to 15%-17% of the uranium used to produce electricity in France. After the coup, the rebels halted gold and uranium exports to France, blocked French media and denounced several military pacts with Paris.