Toronto-based Global Atomic Corporation launches new uranium mining site in Niger

Toronto-headquartered Global Atomic Corporation launched Saturday a new uranium mining company in Agadez, northern Niger.

Niger Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou attended the launch ceremony. Global Atomic Corporation’s subsidiary in the West African country, Somida will run the site located in Dasa, the commune of Tchirozérine in the Agadez region.

No details about the investment nor the return on the project have been revealed.

The Canadian company discovered the site in 2010 through grassroots field exploration, Mining Review reported.

The Phase 1 Feasibility Study for Dasa was filed in December 2021 and estimates Yellowcake production to commence by the end of 2024, the Mining Review reported in September.

Mine excavation began in Q1 2022, the online outlet added.

Niger is one the leading global producers of uranium. French Orano, formerly known as Areva, controls the market in the West African country with two subsidiaries namely SOMAÏR and COMINAK.

Several civil society groups in the country and abroad have repeatedly denounced Orano’s monopoly that they believe robs Niger of its resources.