Russia’s atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, and the Nigerien Ministry of Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate on using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
The MoU was signed during a visit by a Russian delegation led by Sergey Tsivilev, Minister for Energy.
The delegation held talks with Niger Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, Minister of Mines Ousmane Abarchi, and President Abdourahamane Tiani. “We listened to detailed presentations on the cooperation opportunities that Niger is ready to offer. And now our teams are discussing with each other, face-to-face, how to realize this great potential,” said Tsivilev.
He added: “As part of today’s meeting, an important memorandum on cooperation in the field of peaceful atom was signed. Our task is not just to participate in uranium mining; we must create an entire system for the development of the peaceful atom in Niger. This includes the construction of power generation, so that it is available to every resident of the country, and cooperation in the field of nuclear medicine. We also agreed on the joint training of specialists in this field.”
Mines Minister Abarchi said that “in a world marked by instability, rapid technological change, geopolitical tensions, and growing demands of people, it has become imperative to build strategic, sustainable, and balanced partnerships.”
He identified priority areas of collaboration, particularly in defense, mines, oil and energy, agriculture, education and training, transport, industry, trade, and finance.
Uranium has been mined in Niger since the 1970s.
The country produces around 5% of the world’s uranium mining output.
However, operating permits for mines, including GoviEx’s Madouela project and Orano’s Imouraren, were withdrawn following a military coup in July 2023.
Somaïr, which operates the Arlit uranium mine, is 63.4% owned by France’s Orano, with Niger’s state-owned mining assets company SOPAMIN holding 36.6%.
However, Somaïr has been under the operational control of the Nigerien authorities since December.
In June, Orano said that litigation was its only possible recourse after Niger’s Council of Ministers announced plans to appropriate and nationalize the joint venture.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Discover more from Energy News Africa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.