Niger ends French mining monopoly

NIAMEY – Niger’s government has ended the effective monopoly of French nuclear group Areva in uranium mining in the country, and is seeking higher prices for the mineral, according to a ministerial statement.

“Niger is determined to launch a policy of diversification of its partners, which means that Areva’s monopoly in our country is broken,” Foreign Minister Aichatou Mindaoudou said on television on Friday. The move followed the expulsion last month of the company’s local head, Dominique Pin, amid accusations that it was supporting rebels of the ethnic Tuareg Movement for Justice (MJC) in the uranium-producing north.Areva has been operating two uranium mines in Niger for 40 years and is the West African country’s biggest private employer.President Mamadou Tandja has accused it of backing the MJC in a bid to keep out competition.Areva has denied the accusations, and said last week that its contracts with Niamey had been renewed.The row prompted talks at the weekend in Niamey between French Cooperation Minister Jean-Marie Bockel and Niger officials, including Tandja.Nampa-ReutersThe move followed the expulsion last month of the company’s local head, Dominique Pin, amid accusations that it was supporting rebels of the ethnic Tuareg Movement for Justice (MJC) in the uranium-producing north.Areva has been operating two uranium mines in Niger for 40 years and is the West African country’s biggest private employer.President Mamadou Tandja has accused it of backing the MJC in a bid to keep out competition.Areva has denied the accusations, and said last week that its contracts with Niamey had been renewed.The row prompted talks at the weekend in Niamey between French Cooperation Minister Jean-Marie Bockel and Niger officials, including Tandja.Nampa-Reuters