Niger: Government ultimatum in uranium mining project
The uranium market is currently reaching new heights, a reality of considerable importance for Niger where this resource holds a prominent place in the national economy. Indeed, uranium represents the country’s main natural wealth, forming the central pillar of its mining sector and playing a crucial role in revenue generation and economic development.
The Nigerien government had granted the long-awaited authorization to the Canadian company GoviEx to develop a uranium extraction and processing project in a local mine. However, this project has experienced significant delays, with production initially scheduled to start by 2025, raising concerns about the impact on the country’s revenues and economy.
In response to this situation, the current government has taken a firm stance. It has warned GoviEx that if uranium production does not commence by July 3, 2024, the granted permit will simply be suspended, thereby preventing the Canadian giant from continuing its program. This measure aims to ensure that national resources are efficiently exploited and in the best interest of the country.
Niamey’s firm position in this matter is partly motivated by Article 39 of the Nigerien Mining Code, which requires companies granted exploitation permits to commence their operations within two years of receiving the permit.
However, in the case of the Madaouela project involving GoviEx, the waiting period is significantly longer, raising questions about compliance with existing regulations and the potential impact on the national economy.
