Production, refining and reserves
| Commodity | Metric | Value | World rank · share | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium | Mine production 2023 | 1,130 t U content | #8 · 2% | NEA/IAEA Red Book 2024 (Uranium 2024), Table 1.18 |
| Uranium | Resources 2023 | 454,000 t U content | #6 · 6% | NEA/IAEA Red Book 2024 (Uranium 2024), Table 1.2a, <USD 260/kgU |
| Silver | Mine production 2020 | 0.1 t Ag content | — | USGS Minerals Yearbook 2020-21, The Mineral Industry of Niger, table 1 (advance data release) |
Policies and export measures
Policy tracker →2026-09-23 · agreement
Madaouela uranium mining convention with MAMICO (State stake raised to 40%)
The State and Madaouela Mining Company (MAMICO) signed a mining convention to restart the Madaouela uranium project after the permit was re-awarded on 21 August 2026. The State's stake rises to 40% from 10%, with Atomic Eagle holding 60% and operational control, plus a USD 10 million upfront payment and local-content and capacity-building commitments.
Source: Agence Nigérienne de Presse (state news agency)2026-05-18 · incentive
Creation of TSUMCO SA, State uranium company replacing the nationalised SOMAÏR
The Council of Ministers adopted a decree creating the State company Teloua Safeguarding Uranium Mining Company (TSUMCO SA) in place of the nationalised SOMAÏR, whose assets take the Teloua name. On 21 August 2026 the Council granted TSUMCO a large-scale uranium mining permit (In Azaoua) over the former SOMAÏR perimeter. Typed incentive because no other type fits a State mining company.
Source: Agence Nigérienne de Presse (state news agency)2025-06-19 · trade measure
Nationalisation of SOMAÏR (Société des mines de l'Aïr)
The Council of Ministers decided to nationalise the uranium miner SOMAÏR, 63.4% held by Orano, transferring all its shares and assets to the State with compensation that takes account of holders' legal obligations, including site rehabilitation. The Government cited disputes over the split of marketed production and the company's operations after its mining convention expired at the end of 2023.
Source: Agence Nigérienne de Presse (state news agency)2024-07-31 · trade measure
Withdrawal of the Madaouela I uranium mining permit (GoviEx)
The Council of Ministers adopted a decree withdrawing the Madaouela I large-scale uranium exploitation permit granted to GoviEx Niger Holdings in 2016, citing failure to start mining after formal notices in January and April 2024. The same session repealed the Imouraren permit and convention decrees.
Source: Agence Nigérienne de Presse (state news agency)2024-06-24 · trade measure
Withdrawal of the Imouraren uranium mining permit (Imouraren SA / Orano)
The Government withdrew the large-scale uranium exploitation permit held since 2009 by Imouraren SA, citing failure to start production despite extensions and formal notices, under Arts 59 and 61 of the 1993 mining ordinance; the perimeter returned to the State's public domain. On 31 July 2024 the Council of Ministers formally repealed the permit decree and the related mining convention.
Source: Agence Nigérienne de Presse (state news agency)
Trade in critical minerals
Exports 2024$744 k
- Aluminium$663 kto China 82%, India 13%, South Korea 5%
- Tin$71 kto Nigeria 100%
- Lithium*$9 kto Austria 94%, China 6%, France 0% · 1 more
- Uranium$1 kto China 100%
Imports 2024$1 m
- Potash$539 kfrom United Arab Emirates 63%, Canada 37%
- Copper$386 kfrom United States of America 99%, France 0%, Nigeria 0%
- Manganese$281 kfrom China 57%, Morocco 42%, Burkina Faso 0% · 2 more
- Barite$124 kfrom Morocco 100%
- Aluminium$11 kfrom Nigeria 94%, Algeria 3%, Türkiye 3%
- Silicon$9 kfrom China 100%
- Tin$5 kfrom Algeria 87%, Nigeria 13%
- Rare earths$4 kfrom Belgium 98%, India 2%, France 0%
and 5 more commodities
Trade values in current US dollars (ores, concentrates, intermediates, chemicals and refined metal), not prices. * Includes HS codes that also cover other products. Source: CEPII BACI (HS22), Etalab Open Licence 2.0 — details.
Fiscal regime for mining
| Instrument | Applies to | Rate | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty | Uranium | 7%turnover excluding VAT (market value of product on leaving stock for sale) | Loi n° 2022-033 du 5 juillet 2022 portant loi minière · Art. 187-188in force 2022-07-05 |
| Royalty | GoldBy LME gold price: 5.5% at <= USD 1,300/oz; 6% above USD 1,300 and below 2,000/oz; 7% at >= USD 2,000/oz (whole-value step rates) | 5.5-7 sliding scaleturnover excluding VAT (market value of product on leaving stock for sale) | Loi n° 2022-033 du 5 juillet 2022 portant loi minière · Art. 188in force 2022-07-05 |
| Royalty | Diamond (industrial)Diamonds 7.5%; other precious stones 6% | 7.5%turnover excluding VAT (market value of product on leaving stock for sale) | Loi n° 2022-033 du 5 juillet 2022 portant loi minière · Art. 188in force 2022-07-05 |
| Royalty | All mineralsBase metals and all other mineral substances (residual rate) | 4.5%turnover excluding VAT (market value of product on leaving stock for sale) | Loi n° 2022-033 du 5 juillet 2022 portant loi minière · Art. 188in force 2022-07-05 |
| Export levy | All mineralsTaxe de commercialisation payable by persons licensed to trade (buy and export) mineral substances | 3%value of the product to be exported | Loi n° 2022-033 du 5 juillet 2022 portant loi minière · Art. 190in force 2022-07-05 |
| State free-carried interest | All minerals10% free, non-dilutable participation in the operating company for the life of the operation; total State participation including this 10% may not exceed 40% | 10% | Loi n° 2022-033 du 5 juillet 2022 portant loi minière · Art. 26in force 2022-07-05 |
| Stability period | All mineralsFiscal and customs stability for the term of the mining convention and/or cahier des charges; excludes fixed fees and health, safety, employment, environmental and social levies; holder may opt into a more favourable later regime | — | Loi n° 2022-033 du 5 juillet 2022 portant loi minière · Art. 211in force 2022-07-05 |
Rates and terms as set in the cited law or regulation; agreements with individual projects can differ. Not legal or tax advice.
Mines and facilities (6)
- Azelik uranium mineMine · Care & maintenance · AgadezUranium
- COMINAK Akouta uranium mineMine · Closed · AgadezUranium
- Dasa uranium projectProject · Construction · AgadezUranium
- Imouraren uranium projectProject · Development · AgadezUranium
- Madaouela Uranium ProjectProject · DevelopmentUranium
- SOMAIR Arlit uranium minesMine · Care & maintenance · AgadezUranium
Latest news
All news →- Türkiye widens African mining ties through MTA's international arm
2026-10-07 · Ecofin Agency