SOMAIR (Société des Mines de l'Air) is a national mining company of Niger in the mining area of its northern zone. [1] Established in 1968, it started uranium mining at the Arlit deposit in 1971, mining 0.30 - 0.35% ore down to depth of 60 metres (200 ft) depth. [ 2 ]

Dec 4, 2024 · For several months, Orano has been warning of the interference that the group has been suffering in the governance of SOMAÏR 1 , of which it is the majority shareholder and operator in Niger.

With uranium mines in operation in Canada, Kazakhstan and Niger, Orano is one of the world’s leading producers of uranium, with competitive production costs and extraction techniques at the cutting edge of innovation.

Nov 15, 2024 · French nuclear fuels company Orano warned on Friday of a “deteriorating financial situation” at its Somair uranium plant in Niger, as the West African nation increasingly looks to new partners...

Oct 23, 2024 · Orano notes that since the announcements made last July, the financial difficulties of the mining company SOMAÏR, the 63.4% subsidiary of the group, which operates the Arlit uranium mine in Niger, have continued to grow.

Oct 29, 2024 · Orano says financial difficulties of the Niger mining company Somair have continued to grow since the announcements made in July forcing its closure at the end of October. Somair is a 63.4% subsidiary of the Orano group, which operates the Arlit uranium mine in …

Oct 9, 2024 · SOMAÏR is 63.4% owned by Orano, with Niger state-owned mining assets company SOPAMIN holding 36.6%. SOMAÏR has been facing financial difficulties following the July 2023 coup d'état in Niger, since when it has been unable to resume uranium sales.

2 days ago · The French group Orano, led by Nicolas Maes, cited a "takeover" of its main subsidiary in Niger, Somair (Société des Mines de l'Air), by Abdourahamane Tchiani's junta when it decided on 4 December to isolate the mining company operationally by "disconnecting" it from its management systems.

Nov 7, 2024 · Niger’s military government is disputing a decision by French nuclear fuel firm Orano to cease uranium production at the Somair uranium mine, according to a document from a state partner in the venture seen Friday by Agence France-Presse.

5 days ago · Invoquant une "prise de contrôle" de sa principale filiale au Niger, la Somaïr (Société des mines de l'Aïr), par la junte du président Abdourahamane Tchiani, le groupe français Orano, dirigé par Nicolas Maes, a opté le 4 décembre pour un isolement opérationnel de la société minière en la "débranchant" de ses systèmes de gestion.

Dec 5, 2024 · France’s Orano has said that the Nigerien authorities have taken operational control of the Somaïr uranium mining company in which it is the majority shareholder and operator. Niger is the world’s seventh largest producer of uranium …

Dec 4, 2024 · For several months, Orano has been warning of the interference that the group has been suffering in the governance of SOMAÏR 1, of which it is the majority shareholder and operator in Niger.

Dec 6, 2024 · Authorities in Niger have taken operational control of Orano's local subsidiary, Somaïr. The French company disclosed the news via a statement issued on December 4, 2025. Orano, which owns 63.4% of Somaïr, operates the only active uranium mine in Niger.

Dec 5, 2024 · France-based uranium miner Orano has lost operational control of its Somair mine in Niger in the latest move against Western miners in West Africa’s volatile Sahel region.

Oct 9, 2024 · Somaïr (Société des Mines de l’Aïr) is 63.4% owned by Orano and 36.66% owned by the State of Niger through Sopamin (Société du Patrimoine des Mines du Niger). The open-pit mine near Arlit has a production capacity of 2000-2500 tU per year. It produced 1996 tU in 2021.

Dec 6, 2024 · The French uranium company Orano has announced that it has lost operational control of its subsidiary in Niger, SOMAÏR, which has been taken over by the Nigerian authorities.

23 hours ago · Mining is one of Niger’s main economic activities, and the IAEA is ready to support Niger so that it can benefit even more from nuclear techniques to boost sustainability and development. During his visit, Mr Grossi visited two uranium mines, Compagnie Minière d’Akouta (COMINAK) and the Société des Mines de l’Aïr (SOMAIR).

Dec 4, 2024 · French nuclear fuels company Orano said on Wednesday that authorities in Niger have taken control of its Somair uranium mine as the military-led government steps up pressure on foreign investors...

SOMAIR (Société des Mines de l'Air) is a national mining company of Niger in the mining area of its northern zone. [1] Established in 1968, it started uranium mining at the Arlit deposit in 1971, mining 0.30 - 0.35% ore down to depth of 60 metres (200 ft) depth. [2]

2 hours ago · Minister of Energy Haoua Amadou welcomes Grossi to Niger (Image: X/@rafaelmgrossi) High-level meetings were held with Zeine and other senior officials to enhance support for the country through the peaceful uses of nuclear technology for mining, water management and cancer care, the IAEA said.