Niger’s Council of Ministers has granted a permit for the Moradi uranium mine to COMIREX SA. This aims to convert semi-mechanised mining permits to small-scale operations, with anticipated uranium production of 300 tonnes over five years and the creation of 94 jobs. The project focuses on revenue generation while ensuring sustainable practices and local training initiatives.
Niger’s Council of Ministers has authorized a permit for the Compagnie Minière de Recherche et d’Exploitation (COMIREX SA) to operate the Moradi uranium mine. This decision was made during a meeting on February 22, 2023, attended by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who has been in power since a coup in the same year. This decree is part of efforts to convert semi-mechanised permits to small-scale mining operations, with another permit also awarded for a copper mine to Compagnie Minière de l’Aïr.
The Moradi mine is located in the rural commune of Dannet in the Agadez Region. According to a provisional environmental impact study commissioned by COMIREX in 2023, the site encompasses what was previously the AFASTO Exploitation and Research Permit. The study indicates the presence of a shallow deposit, approximately 10 meters deep, containing about 2,000 tonnes of uranium, anticipating open-pit mining.
COMIREX intends to process ore at the facilities of SOMAÏR, which is partially owned by the French company Orano. However, it was reported that Orano has relinquished operational control of the Arlit mine, where SOMAÏR is stationed. The companies holding the permits, as indicated by the Council, are owned by Nigerien nationals and involve state participation of approximately 25% for COMINAIR and 40% for COMIREX.
Under the mining agreement, COMIREX is projected to yield an average of 300 tonnes of uranium over five years, generating 94 employment opportunities for local youth. Additionally, more than XOF3.634 billion (approximately USD 5.8 million) will be collected as a mining royalty from the uranium production, alongside a surface royalty of XOF114 million for the project’s duration. The currency employed in Niger is the CFA Franc, designated as XOF.
The permits obtained mandate that both COMIREX and COMINAIR contribute financially to the training of Niger’s Ministry of Mines staff and to local infrastructure improvements. These companies are also obligated to implement environmental protection measures and adhere to sustainable management principles. The Council of Ministers emphasized that these decrees reflect a commitment to exercising full sovereignty over Niger’s natural resources for the benefit of its citizens.
In conclusion, the approval of the Moradi uranium mine permit and the small-scale mining permits underscores Niger’s strategic focus on harnessing its natural resources. With expectations of job creation and substantial revenue through royalties, the decision signifies a broader intent to leverage domestic assets for national development. The commitment to environmental stewardship and local infrastructure further illustrates a holistic approach to resource management.
Original Source: www.world-nuclear-news.org
