Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Russia's Rosatom seeking to acquire French uranium assets in Niger

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Bloomberg
  • 3 Jun 2024 14:52
  • 6 Shares
3 Min Read

A Western diplomat in the region claims that discussions were likely aimed at mining permits, as the World Nuclear Association states that Niger accounts for almost 4% of global uranium mine production as of 2022. 

Listen
  • x
  • Burkina Faso's Capt. Ibrahim Traore and Russian President Vladimir Putin before an official ceremony at the Russia Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (AP)
    Burkina Faso's Capt. Ibrahim Traore and Russian President Vladimir Putin before an official ceremony at the Russia Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (AP)

Uranium assets in Niger held by France’s state-controlled Orano SA may be taken over by Russia, Bloomberg reported, citing people informed about the matter. 

Russia’s state nuclear company, Rosatom, has contacted Niger’s military-led authorities about acquiring the assets in an effort to challenge the West, as per an anonymous source in Moscow familiar with the matter.

A Western diplomat in the region claimed that discussions were likely aimed at mining permits, as the World Nuclear Association states that Niger accounts for almost 4% of global uranium mine production as of 2022. 

Mark Hibbs, a Berlin-based nuclear analyst with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, stated that “Russia has been stepping up its economic, diplomatic, and military links in Africa, including after the Niger coup, and they see this part of the world as a strategic investment opportunity."

“Hand in hand, Rosatom has been diversifying its uranium investments in Africa,” Hibbs added. 

Related News

US uses tariffs to strongarm India on Russia ties

China, Russia launch Maritime Interaction-2025 drills in Sea of Japan

Read next: Niger receives new Russian military advisors, equipment: State media

It remains unclear how much of the assets Rosatom is seeking, and the source in Moscow characterized the discussions as being at an early stage having not reached negotiations yet and with the terms of transfer not yet set out.

It is also worth noting that Niger, according to the World Nuclear Association (WNA), is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium. Orano owns 63.4% of Société des Mines de l’Aïr (SOMAÏR). The remaining 36.66% is owned by Niger's Société du Patrimoine des Mines du Niger, known as Sopamin.

Relations between Paris and Niamey have gone from bad to worse since a military coup last July 26 ousted Niger's elected President Mohamed Bazoum. France shut its embassy in Niamey in December after ambassador Sylvain Itte was ordered to leave. The last French soldier of 1,500 once deployed in Niger withdrew on December 22.

In early October 2023, Paris-based magazine Jeune Afrique reported that French President Emmanuel Macron has offered to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) if the bloc decides to intervene militarily in Niger.

It is noteworthy that following the coup in July, ECOWAS suspended Niger and imposed sanctions on it. It also left open a possible military invasion to "re-establish constitutional order" as a final option if needed.

Niamey is battling now two insurgencies – a spillover in its southeast from a long-running conflict in neighboring Nigeria, and an offensive in the west by militants crossing from Mali and Burkina Faso.

  • Russia
  • Niger
  • Uranium
  • Rosatom

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS