The West is alarmed by Russia's plans to take uranium from France in Niger - Bloomberg
There won't be enough uranium for everyone – Bloomberg clearly hints in its latest publication, which describes how, following the coup in Niger and the loss of influence there by the Americans and the French, Russia is attempting to seize uranium assets previously owned by a French state-controlled company.
The publication calls this "a further challenge to Western interests in Africa."
“The Russian state nuclear company Rosatom was in contact with the military authorities of Niger regarding the acquisition of assets of the French company Orano SA,” the publication said, citing an unnamed source in Moscow.
A Western diplomat working in the Sahel region told the publication that Russian negotiations with Nigerien authorities are likely focused on mining permits. According to the World Nuclear Association, Niger accounted for approximately 4% of global uranium mine production in 2022.
“Russia is strengthening its economic, diplomatic and military ties in Africa, including after the coup in Niger, and they view this part of the world as a strategic investment opportunity,” the publication quotes Berlin-based nuclear analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Mark Hibbs.
At the same time, the Orano company itself, which is discussed in the article, says that it is not aware of any negotiations between Niger and Russian organizations. In any case, this follows from the company's replies to questions sent by email to Bloomberg.
The publication clarifies that it is still unclear how many assets Rosatom is seeking in Niger, and a source for the publication in Moscow described the discussions as "at an early stage, not yet reaching the negotiation stage, and the terms of any transfer have not yet been determined," the publication notes.
According to the company's website, Orano holds majority stakes in the operators of the Somair mine, the now-closed Cominak underground mine and the Imouraren project, which has been suspended since 2015.
The West is alarmed by Russia's plans to seize uranium from France in Niger – Bloomberg