The Nigerien government, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, made a landmark announcement on May 18, 2026, during a cabinet meeting. A new national uranium mining company was established, and the mining concession previously held by the French firm Orano at the Arlit site was revoked. This decision formally ends over half a century of French dominance in Niger’s uranium industry.
The newly created entity, named Teloua Safeguarding Uranium Mining Company (TSUMCO SA), now oversees all assets formerly managed by the Société des Mines de l’Aïr (SOMAÏR SA), which was nationalized in 2025. The Arlit site, one of the world’s richest uranium deposits, boasts reserves estimated at 200,000 tonnes, according to available data.
a gradual shift since 2023
The removal of Orano from Niger’s uranium sector did not happen overnight. Following the July 2023 coup, authorities in Niamey have systematically dismantled foreign control. This included revoking Orano’s operational license in 2024, nationalizing SOMAÏR in 2025, and now establishing a state-run successor in 2026. The name Teloua, referencing the underground aquifer beneath the former COMINAK mine, symbolizes the government’s commitment to a new chapter. Officials have also accused Orano of leaving millions of tons of radioactive waste at its mining sites since the 1970s, harming local communities and ecosystems.
Orano fights back as exports remain stalled
The French group, majority-owned by the French state, has initiated multiple international arbitration proceedings against Niger. An arbitral tribunal has already ordered Niamey to halt sales of uranium extracted from SOMAÏR, which holds an estimated 1,300 tonnes of concentrate, valued at around €250 million by Orano. The Nigerien Minister of Mines, Ousmane Abarchi, described the legal challenges as “judicial harassment.”
The outcome of these international arbitration cases will determine whether TSUMCO SA can export its uranium to global markets. No official timeline has been provided for the resolution of these disputes.
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