NIGER plans to nationalise a uranium mine operated by a French state-owned company, accusing the firm of taking a disproportionate share of the Somair mine’s commercialised production.

The move follows months of deteriorating relations between Orano and Niger’s government and comes amid a wave of mine nationalisations across west Africa.

In a statement issued on Thursday night, Niger said: “According to the shareholders’ agreement, the uranium produced by Somair is removed by the shareholders in proportion to their respective stakes. However, the figures are far from reflecting this sharing rule.”

The company holds a 63 per cent stake in Somair, while Niger’s state-owned Sopamin owns the remainder, but the government said that Orano had taken 86.3 per cent of production between 1971, when the mine was opened, and 2024.

Orano filed lawsuits after the authorities blocked uranium exports from the mine and took control of it in December.

In neighbouring Mali, Canadian firm Barrick Mining had its Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex placed under state control by a court last Monday, in a dispute over taxes and ownership.

In Burkina Faso, the government has nationalised five gold mines this month.