The French group Orano must be deprived of its license to exploit a uranium deposit in Niger, the Nigerian civil movement M62, which campaigns for the end of diplomatic and economic relations with France, said.
"We are asking for the withdrawal of the permission for the development of Imouraren [mine in the north of Niger], which is being held illegally by Orano, in accordance with the mining law of Niger," Abdoulaye Seydou, coordinator of the M62, told the Nigerian media Sahel on Monday at a press conference.
The French company must respect its "obligations in terms of corporate social responsibility," he added.
Rich in Uranium
Niger is the seventh-largest uranium producer in the world in 2022, according to the World Nuclear Association (WNA).
Imouraren, a uranium deposit in the Arlit region, is located in the north-west of the country. The Orano Group (ex-Areva), present in the country for decades, obtained the permits for its exploitation in 2009. In May 2023, an agreement was reached with the Ministry of Mines to relaunch the project.
However, in early September, French media reported that 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 the country.
Anti-French Sentiment
Composed of 15 civil society organizations, the M62 movement has been repeatedly calling for the reduction of the French presence in Niger.
Thus, the movement has been at the origin of many anti-French demonstrations. For instance, in late August, the M62 had demanded the departure of the French contingent from the country.
Last Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the upcoming withdrawal of the French ambassador from Niamey and the departure of the country's troops by the end of the year. In response to this, the military leaders said they were waiting "for this declaration to be followed by official acts" from the French authorities.