Antinuclear

Uranium company AREVA plays hardball with poverty-stricken Niger

A nuclear story: Areva and Niger’s uranium fight Express Tribune 5 Feb 14 “……uranium has not enriched Niger. The former French colony remains one of the poorest countries on earth. More than 60 per cent of its 17 million people survive on less than $1 a day…..

Areva and Niger’s just-expired agreements have never been made public. But Reuters has reviewed documents which reveal that Areva’s mines pay no export duties on uranium, no taxes on materials and equipment used in mining operations, and a royalty of just 5.5 per cent on the uranium they produce. …..

“For 40 years, Niger has been one of the world’s largest uranium producers, but it’s still one of the poorest countries on the planet,” he said. “At the same time, Areva has grown to be one of the world’s largest companies. You see the contrast?”

Areva, which produced nearly one fifth of the world’s uranium in 2012, says a higher royalty rate would make its business in Niger unprofitable.

With uranium prices down about 70 percent from their peak in Niger needs to take into account that Areva is not in great financial health and that the uranium price is low and not about to increase anytime soon,” said the source…..

“Today Niger is faced with the power of France. Niger is not negotiating with a company,” said Ali Idrissa, head of ROTAB, the local arm of transparency campaigner Publish What You Pay.

Areva is prepared to play hardball….. http://tribune.com.pk/story/667988/a-nuclear-story-areva-and-nigers-uranium-fight/

February 6, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized