Niger’s main mine workers’ union, SYNTRAMIN, has publicly backed the military government’s decision to nationalize the Somair uranium mine, a move that has escalated tensions with the mine’s French operator, Orano.
Niger’s military government, which came to power in a 2023 coup, announced its intention to nationalize Somair last week, alleging that Orano has taken a disproportionate share of the mine’s output since its launch in 1971.
SYNTRAMIN stated on Saturday that it supports this “sovereign decision,” claiming that the benefits of Niger’s uranium wealth have not fairly benefited the country for over 50 years, denouncing “decades of pillaging.”
Orano, which holds a 63% stake in Somair (with Niger’s state-owned Sopamin owning the rest), has previously opposed the nationalization plan and indicated it may pursue legal action.
The company has not yet commented on Niger’s specific allegations regarding production shares.
Despite the ongoing dispute with Orano, SYNTRAMIN has pledged to ensure the continuity of production under state management, highlighting Somair’s critical role in global nuclear fuel supply chains.
Niger is currently the world’s seventh-largest uranium producer.
