French nuclear giant accused of ‘mass crimes’

Niger has threatened legal action against Orano after allegedly finding 400 barrels of harmful radioactive core materials near a uranium site

Niger’s military government has accused French state nuclear group Orano of “radioactive pollution” and “predatory behavior” after officials said they found hundreds of barrels of radioactive waste abandoned near a former uranium site in the north of the country.

The Mining Ministry said inspectors discovered about 400 barrels of dangerously high levels of radioactive core materials at Madaouela, close to the uranium hub of Arlit, where Orano used to operate. Local measurements reportedly peaked at 10 microsieverts per hour, compared with a normal level of 0.5. Authorities also said tests found harmful substances capable of causing respiratory disorders.

Niger’s justice minister, Alio Daouda, told reporters on Tuesday that the company will face legal proceedings for “mass crimes,” including harm to the environment, public health, and national sovereignty.

“This illegal dump illustrates Orano’s persistent disregard for Niger and its people since the beginning of uranium mining,” Daouda said, vowing that “Niger will not back down in the defense of its sovereignty.”

Orano, which is 90 % owned by the French state, has told Reuters that it “does not hold an operating license for the Madaouela site and has conducted no operations there.” 

READ MORE: African state strips French nuclear giant of uranium mine

The allegations come amid an escalating dispute between Niamey and Orano over control of uranium mines in the West African nation, the world’s eighth-largest producer of yellowcake. Niger supplied about 15% to 17% of the uranium used by France for electricity generation when mines were in full operation.

Last week, Niger reportedly defied a World Bank tribunal order and transported more than 1,000 tons of uranium from the Somair mine, which Orano had operated since 1971 until the African state nationalized it in June.

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The fuel company denounced the move as a breach of court rulings instructing the former French colony “not to sell, transfer, or even facilitate the transfer to third parties of uranium produced by Somair.”

The military leadership has insisted it is exercising its sovereign rights. In addition to seizing operational control of Somair over what it called Orano’s “irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behavior,” the government also revoked the company’s permit at the Imouraren deposit last year.