Niger can count on IAEA support, Grossi says during visit
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi's two-day visit to Niger included meetings with Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine and other senior officials as well as visits to two uranium mine sites.
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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.
The Director General met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Yaou Sangaré Bakary, Minister of Mines Ousmane Abarchi and Minister of Energy Haoua Amadou to discuss other development priorities, including sustainable energy and visited the Compagnie Minière d’Akouta (Cominak) and the Société des Mines de l’Aïr (Somaïr).
"Niger is one of the biggest producers in the world of uranium," Grossi said in an IAEA video of his visit to the Somaïr mine. "With important political changes in the country, it was very important to ensure the continuity of the presence of the IAEA. As you can see, we have been here with the collaboration of the government, and we will continue not only to ensure that everything that goes on here is safe, secure and in a non-proliferation way, but also that the IAEA will continue helping and assisting the country in this key activity for its economic development."
The Director General said he had been "satisfied" with the visit, saying he had observed "professional management" and a willingness for transparency and collaboration with the IAEA.
"The work will continue here and at the other mining sites in Niger, but it was truly an excellent start," he said.
Grossi also visited the Cominak mine, which ceased production in 2021.
Uranium has been mined in Niger since the beginning of the 1970s. The country now produces around 5% of world uranium mining output, but operating permits for mines including GoviEx's Madouela project and Orano's Imouraren were withdrawn following a military coup in July 2023. Somaïr, which operates the Arlit uranium mine, is 63.4% owned by Orano, with Niger state-owned mining assets company SOPAMIN holding 36.6%, but has been under operational control of the Nigerien authorities since December. Along with the French company's other Niger subsidiaries, Cominak and Imouraren, Orano has removed it from its financial statements.
Orano and Canadian company GoviEx both initiated international arbitration proceedings against Niger, although in February GoviEx agreed to temporarily suspend proceedings while negotiations continue.
Water cooperation
Grossi signed an agreement with Minister of Hydraulics, Sanitation and Environment Maizama Abdoulaye to strengthen water resource management, under which Niger will develop an integrated water resource platform to strengthen water-related planning, policies and investment, supported by World Bank funding.
Niger, in the heart of the Sahel is facing severe water scarcity due to its arid climate, rapid population growth and limited water infrastructure. The IAEA supports countries in using isotope hydrology - a nuclear technique - to manage their freshwater resources.
Under the agreement, the IAEA will provide technical support to establish a national water quality laboratory, modernise seven existing water laboratories and strengthen national capacity through training, building on commitments made at the launch of the IAEA’s Global Water Analysis Laboratory Network at the 2023 UN Water Conference.
The IAEA has also supported Niger through its Rays of Hope initiative to expand access to cancer care where it is needed most. Grossi's trip included a visit to Niger's National Cancer Care Centre in the capital, Niamey, which was established with IAEA support.
