GoviEx Uranium has said it is “fully prepared” to pursue all necessary legal avenues over the Niger government’s “perplexing” decision to withdraw its mining rights for the Madaouela uranium property.

In a letter to shareholders the Vancouver, Canada-based company said it would “defend our rights and protect our investments”. It said it had formally written to Niger’s Ministry of Mines to contest the decision and to initially seek an amicable solution.

“We are starting the process to secure independent assessments of damages related to the withdrawal of our mining rights,” the letter said.

GoviEx said earlier this month that it had been informed by the Niger government that it no longer has rights over the site, which is now in the public domain.