Niger is ready to return the uranium produced by Orano at the Somair (Société des Mines de l’Aïr) mine to the French nuclear company, two months after unidentified attackers who staged an assault on the capital came dangerously close to the stockpile, various reports said.

Niger’s military authorities took over the mine in 2024, accusing Orano of planning to halt operations and sell its stake without following proper procedures.

The military government later removed uranium from the site in violation of an arbitration tribunal ruling, raising concerns about radioactive material being transported through jihadist-affected regions.