Kodal Minerals’ Mali lithium mine remains on track for Q1 2025 production
Once in production, the Bougouni project will become the first lithium mine in Mali.
French nuclear power giant Areva is reportedly cooperating with a legal enquiry by activists who say the company cheated Niger out of $3.25 million in uranium exports.
According to the BBC, the scandal known as “uranium-gate” resulted from a 2011 transaction between Areva, and companies in Niger and abroad:
Their complaint alleges embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, forgery and conspiracy to defraud.
The legal action centres on the allegation that Areva in 2011 bought a stock of uranium from Niger at a discounted price.
Back in 2014 Areva reached a deal with Niger’s government to continue uranium mining as it pledged to pay more taxes and to indefinitely postpone a large project over profitability concerns.
At the time, opponents to Areva’s proposed Imouraren mine in Niger, the world’s fourth-largest uranium producer, claimed the country’s riches haven’t been translating into wealth for its citizens. According to Associated Press, critics have accused the state-owned French company of exploiting Nigeriens since it began operations in 1971.
The country provides 7.5% of the world’s uranium through two significant, high-grade uranium mines, according to the World Nuclear Association.
