Orano halts uranium output at Niger's Arlit mine amid financial strain

Production at the Arlit uranium mine will come to a standstill on 31 October though staff will be paid through to the end of the year. © Pierre Verdy / AFP

French nuclear multinational Orano will suspend production at its Arlit uranium mine in northern Niger due to financial difficulties faced by its Nigerien subsidiary, Somaïr. The decision comes as border closures between Niger and Benin, triggered by the July 2023 coup, have blocked all uranium exports.

The Arlit uranium mine in northern Niger is operated by its local subsidiary Somaïr – Orano owns 63.4 percent and the Nigerien state-owned Sopamin the rest.