Niger has transferred the assets of the nationalised Société des Mines de l’Aïr (SOMAÏR) uranium operation to a new state owned company, Teloua Safeguarding Uranium Mining Company (TSUMCO), strengthening government control over one of the country’s most strategic mineral assets, as reported by World Nuclear News and Reuters. The decision follows Niger’s nationalisation of SOMAÏR, which had been majority owned and operated by French nuclear group Orano.
The new company was established by decree following a May 2026 government decision, with the nationalised SOMAÏR’s assets transferred to TSUMCO. The government said the restructuring is intended to improve the governance and performance of state mining companies while increasing Niger’s control over its natural resources.
The move marks another major escalation in Niger’s resource nationalism since the 2023 military coup and its deterioration of relations with France. Orano previously held a 63.4% stake in SOMAÏR, with Niger’s state mining company Sopamin holding the remainder. Niger nationalised the operation in June 2025 after accusing Orano of failing to respect the agreed production-sharing arrangements, allegations the French company rejected.
For Niger, bringing the mine fully under state control could give the government greater influence over uranium production, revenues and future investment decisions as global demand for nuclear fuel rises. However, the takeover remains entangled in an international legal dispute, with an ICSID tribunal ordering Niger not to sell or transfer uranium produced by SOMAÏR that is subject to Orano’s claims.
