French nuclear fuel company Orano has initiated international arbitration against Niger after Niamey revoked the mining license of its subsidiary, Imouraren, in June. The Imouraren mine, containing an estimated 200,000 tons of uranium, was scheduled to begin production in 2015. However, a global uranium price collapse, caused by the 2011 Japan nuclear disaster, resulted in the suspension of these plans. Following years of delays, Niger’s ruling junta warned that Orano’s license would expire on June 19 unless work had resumed at the site. Despite presenting a concrete proposal to start mining, Niamey withdrew Orano’s license all the same. The dispute escalated earlier this month when Niger’s authorities seized control of the Somair uranium mine. Orano owns 63.4 percent of the mine and, following the failure of several mediation efforts, has now decided to pursue arbitration against Niamey.
SOURCE: AFRICA NEWS
