CIAO DATE: 06/2014
March 2014
Danish Institute for International Studies
Niger remains an important part of the French energy company Areva’s business as a global company, but it is not as important for the French national nuclear programme as many believe. While it is true that the total quantity of natural uranium imported by France comes first mostly from Niger (more than 5000 tonnes in 2012), in recent years Niger has ranked only second or third among the energy company EDF’s main suppliers, behind countries such as Australia, Canada and Kazakhstan. In France, however, natural uranium is immediately associated with the relationship to African countries. Realising early on that France’s ambitious nuclear programme would require significantly higher quantities of uranium than domestic sources could provide, France was quick to exploit foreign sources of uranium. Within Africa, Niger quickly became a prominent source for France. Discoveries started as early as 1956, and proved fruitful in 1964 after Nigerien independence (1960). This policy brief provides recommendations for France – and Areva – to continue to diversify their uranium acquisitions while maintaining transparency at the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle.
Resource link: Uranium from Niger: A key resource of diminishing importance for France [PDF] - 3.6M