March 1, 2025
The government of Niger announced on Sunday, February 23, 2025, that it will enter the copper industry by extracting copper from the Agadez region in the desert north.
The government has granted a permit to Compagnie Minière de l’Air (Cominair SA), in which the Nigerien government holds a 25% stake while the remaining shares are owned by Nigerien nationals.
As stated by News Central Africa, research indicates that the copper deposits should yield about 2,700 tons per year for 10 years.
The copper mine will create 300 direct jobs. According to Sputnik Africa, during the first 10 years, royalties should exceed $6.4 million in addition to a surface royalty of $922,418
As mentioned by AFP, Niger has also awarded a permit to Compagnie Minière de Recherche et d’Exploitation (Comirex SA) for a small-scale lithium project also in the Agadez region, which is expected to produce 200 tons annually over five years.
The Nigerien government holds a 40% stake in Comirex SA while the remaining shares are owned by Nigerien nationals.
Since coming into power in July 2023, the Nigerien military junta has planned for the government to take control of the nation’s minerals, which comprise 40% of Niger’s exports.
After a 50-year presence, Niger kicked French nuclear fuel corporation Orano out of the country in December 2024 by suspending its mining license for the Imouraren uranium mine in the Agadez region.
With copper coming online, Niger is diversifying its economy, which already produces oil, gold, and uranium.
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