(3 minutes read)
· The Akouta Mining Company (Cominak) in Niger, known for its uranium mining and a subsidiary of Orano Cycle (a French multinational, formerly Areva), has closed its operations yesterday (31st March 2021)
· Since inception, the mine would have produced 75,000 tonnes of uranium. Uranium, the rarely found mineral, is largely used for nuclear plants as a fuel. Countries, which have nuclear plants, import the mineral
· In 2010, export of uranium accounted for 60% of the export earnings of Niger
The Akouta Mining Company (Cominak) in Niger, known for its uranium mining and a subsidiary of Orano Cycle (a French multinational, formerly Areva), closed its operations yesterday (31st March 2021). The mine has been active since 1978. www.trendsnafrica.com carried a story a few days ago about the closure of the mine.
Since inception, the mine would have produced 75,000 tonnes of uranium. Uranium, the rarely found mineral, is largely used for nuclear plants as a fuel. Countries, which have nuclear plants, import the mineral. In 2010, export of uranium accounted for 60% of the export earnings of Niger. Now, mines are less profitable because of a number of factors including collapse of prices since 2007 following the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
The mine has 600 employees and 700 subcontractors. The mining operations, experts say, were carried out under unsatisfactory conditions below 250 meters, exposing the workers to heavy risks. The company has announced a severance allowance to the retrenched employees. However, employees are not satisfied with the compensation.
They want there should be a plan for economic recovery of the region, which spreads over 200 Kms. Because of the mining, they apprehend that the terrains may be least suitable for pursuing any land related activities. Experts feel that the company will have to work at least 15 years to ensure safety of the site and to fulfill commitments made to the government authorities..
