4.5.2 NIGER'S URANIUM
Nigerien soils contain about 10 percent of the world's uranium
reserves. Commercial export of «Yellow cake uranium ore concentrated to 70
percent, began in 1971, and by 1974, revenue from the sale of this commodity
exceeded earnings from all other exports combined. Nigerien uranium was
developed principally to meet French needs for nuclear energy and weapons. With
2,200 tons exported a year. The reserves were estimated at 100,000 tons. France
jointly developed two surfaces mine in the air desert, at Arlit (SOMAIR) and at
Akouta (Cominak). These mines have a total capacity of 4,500 tons of yellow
cake per year and additional mines, which would have raised the total capacity
to 9,000 tons a year, were also planned. Two French companies have shares in
SOMAIR: COGEMA (26.961%), CFMU (11,796%). France has 34% (CEA) in COMINAK and
MINATOME S.A. 8%.
Until the early 1980s, Niger's leaders hoped that substantial
and growing revenues from uranium sales would fuel rapid growth and
industrialization, but the uranium boom was short-lived. Production peaked at
about 4,360 tons in 1981 and has fallen since to about 3,200 toms owing to the
slack in world demand following the nuclear reactor accidents at three miles
Island and Chernobyl and to competition from Canadian and Australian producers.
Since 1981, the Nigerien firms that run the mines and export the uranium have
been unable to find market even from this reduced level of production.
Typically, France has purchased about 2,500 tons a year at contract price well
above the world marker. Some of the rest of the production has been sold to a
variety of small purchasers, mainly from the Arab world, usually at spot market
prices as much as 30 - 40 percent below the French contract price. As a result,
Uranium export revenue has fallen dramatically from a high of nearly half a
billion dollar in 1980 to about $200 million.
This decline in sales and revenue discouraged investors from
proceeding with plans to develop additional mines in the Air North and west of
Agadez, specifically and an underground mine at Afasto, and the slowdown has
had particularly severe consequences for the Nigerien economy given the fact
that uranium sales accounted for between 15-20 percent of Niger's Gross
domestic Product and yielded 10-12 percent of total government revenues in the
late 2970s. At its peak of production, the uranium industry employed about 7
percent of all modern-sector workers, but additional wage and salaried workers,
both in government and in private firms, depended on the revenue from Uranium
sales for their lively hood as well. The decrease in Uranium revenue also
quickly led to a foreign debt crisis, further reducing the size of the
government work force.
4.6 DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH
FRANCE
4.6.1 EXCHANGE OF VISIT OF HEAD OF
STATES
Exchange of visit by the Heads of State, Ambassadors,
Ministers and other officials indicates the depth of the relationship of the
countries concerned. These visits take place either for strengthening existing
relations or for normalizing relations, which hitherto have been strained.
Other reasons for the exchange of visit may be to solicit favors or support on
any national or international issues affecting the country or countries
involved. Yet, another reason may be to participate in the signing of any
treaty, agreement or pacts. Last, but not the least, visits may also take place
to seek financial assistance or aid for development programs.
Frequency of visits of the leaders of one country to the
other serves as a barometer to measure the strength and weakness of the
relationship. One thing, however, is clear: that frequent visits of the leaders
of one country to the other for economic reasons do not necessarily mean that
the former follows the policy of the donor except where the donor's national
interest is directly involved.37
Geographical distance of the two countries provides more
opportunities for the exchange of visit.
Exchange of visit of the leaders, minister of Niger's and
France have been frequent and for multiple purpose. These visits have no doubt
immensely contributed towards the development f the special relationship
between the two.
After eight (8) years of the breakdown between Niger and
France, which occurred after the military coup in 1974 when the new Head of
State, Lt. Colonel Seyni Kountché ordered the withdrawal of French
troops from Niamey, Jacques Chirac as a conservative Prime Minister and his
minister of cooperation, Jacques Foucart helped Franco-Nigerien relations to
return normal.
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