Niger has accused the French nuclear fuel company Orano of “exploitative behavior” and committing environmental crimes, marking a new escalation in the ongoing dispute over control of the country’s uranium mines.
The Nigerien government said the company may face criminal charges for “mass crimes” after authorities discovered 400 barrels containing radioactive material in the Madaouela area.
Orano — 90% owned by the French government — denied receiving any official notification of such proceedings, reiterating that it does not operate at the Madaouela site and holds no license to do so.
Niger’s justice minister stated that radiation levels detected at the site exceeded safe limits by several dozen times, pointing to materials harmful to public health.
The latest tensions come after Niger’s earlier decision to nationalize the Somair uranium mine, in which Orano had a majority stake.
