Global Atomic Corporation said the current circumstances in Niger could delay commissioning of the processing plant at its Dasa project by up to 12 months, but expects to be able to resume dialogue with the country's Ministry of Mines following the appointment of a new minister.

Current events in Niger mean world attention is turning to the West African uranium-producing country. Here is an overview of Niger's uranium sector.

The general agreement covers the Imouraren project, the continued operation of the Somaïr mine, the remediation of the Cominak mine, and Orano's social commitment in Niger.

Orano joint venture Imouraren SA is looking to begin a pilot programme to investigate using in-situ leach methods at the project in Niger next year, company director Matthieu Davrinche has said, with a view to making an investment decision in 2028.

Underground development has officially begun at the Dasa uranium project in Niger, which is expected to begin producing yellowcake for delivery to utilities early in 2025.

Global Atomic has completed the formation of its Niger mining subsidiary which is to be 20% owned by the country's government. Societé Minière DASA SA will be responsible for operating the Dasa project, which is on track for yellowcake production in early 2025.

Global Atomic has contracted distributed energy service provider Enernet Global Inc to supply a hybrid power plant for its Dasa uranium project currently under development in Niger. Meanwhile, Boss Energy is ramping up key construction and development work at its Honeymoon uranium project in South Australia.

The Director General of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Yau Idris, said that agreements had been signed with a number of other countries' regulators as plans proceed for a proposed four unit plant.

Toronto-based Global Atomic is to set up a 90%-owned Niger mining subsidiary after the Government of Niger formally confirmed it will not increase its ownership stake in the Dasa project beyond the legally mandated 10% minimum. The company plans to bring the project into full production by the end of 2024.

Orano is confident about its uranium mining future and will continue to invest in its projects while remaining committed to being a responsible mining company at all stages of operation, Orano Mining CEO Nicolas Maes told delegates at the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle forum today.

Production at the Cominak uranium mine at Akouta in Niger came to an end yesterday after over 40 years of operations during which it produced more than 75,000 tU. The mine has now entered the remediation phase, which will also include action to address the impact of the mine's closure on its employees and on local communities. Cominak's board of directors announced in October 2019 that the mine would close this month due to depletion of its resources.

Canada-based Global Atomic Corporation said yesterday it is in discussions with Orano Mining to deliver uranium-bearing rock from its Dasa project in Niger to Orano's Somaïr facility for processing. The company has changed its plans for the mine which it now intends to develop as an underground-only operation, and expects to release a preliminary economic assessment for the project within the second quarter of this year.