French nuclear company Orano says the military government in the Republic of Niger have taken control of its uranium mining operations.
Niger’s military rulers after seizing power in a coup in July last year, said they would restructure rules regulating the mining of raw materials by foreign companies.
The junta withdrew Orano’s permit to exploit one of the world’s largest uranium deposits in June.
The takeover marks another escalation in the severing of relationship between France and Niger, following the expulsion of French troops from its former colony.
Meanwhile, Niger’s authorities have not commented on Orano’s claim.
The West African country accounts for about 5% of global uranium output, making it one of the world’s top 10 producers of a vital raw material in the generation of nuclear power.
