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COMINAK: operation of an unparalleled mine

Employee working in the Akouta plant in Niger

A subsidiary of AREVA, COMINAK has been mining deep uranium deposits in the northwest of Niger since 1978. Forecasting the mining of new deposits, COMINAK is implementing a full plan of action that will allow it to optimize production and reinforce its status as the second-largest active uranium mine on the African continent, and the largest underground mine in the world. The company is ISO 14001 certified for its compliance with standards for environmental management.

COMINAK (Compagnie Minière d’Akouta) was founded in 1974. AREVA holds 34% of its capital; SOPAMIN (Niger) 31%; OURD (Overseas Uranium Resources Development Company Ltd, Japan) 25% and ENUSA (Empresa Nacional des Uranio S.A, Espagne) 10%.

The largest underground uranium mine in the world

It is located at a depth of 250 meters, with more than 250 kilometers of tunnels.

Its uranium ore has an average content of 4% (4 kilograms of uranium per metric ton of ore).

Once extracted, it is processed to obtain an Uranium concentrate in an onsite plant with an annual production capacity of 2,000 metric tons

Its workforce comprises around 1,200 employees, 98% of whom are Nigerien.

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AREVA and Niger a Sustainable Partnership

AREVA and Niger a Sustainable Partnership

As the country’s first private employer and main industrial partner for the past 40 years, AREVA is a major stakeholder in the Nigerien economy. Mining activity generates important revenues that have a positive impact on the development of social and public initiatives.
Date of issue : November 2010

At the current rate of production, the quarters in production and future as Ebba South allow more than 17 years of mining (end of 2009 figures: 24 670 metric tons of uranium reserves, of which 10,531 are accessible to AREVA).

The beneficiation of known geological resources could bring 5 additional years of mining.

Forecasting future activities on the Afasto deposit, COMINAK is implementing a full plan of action to optimize its production.

Key dates for COMINAK

  • 2008: Renewal of ISO 14001 certification
  • 2006-2008: Rectification and development plan
  • 2006: Renewal of ISO 14001 certification
  • 2003: ISO 14001 certification (sustainable development and environmental protection)
  • 2002: Feasibility study for the Afasto site
  • 2001: New mining agreement for the period 2004-2013
  • 1998: 40,000th ton of uranate barreled
  • 1987: Leasing of Akola area to COMINAK
  • 1986: Production limited to 1,960 metric tons per year
  • 1981: Maximum production year: 2,260 metric tons
  • 1978: Production of first batch of uranate by COMINAK
  • 1975: Leasing (transfer of mining rights) of Akouta’s area to COMINAK by COGEMA
  • 1974: Founding of COMINAK
  • 1970: France-Japan-Niger research agreement on Akouta's scope

Contact

COMINAK
Immeuble Sonora I Place Rond Point Kennedy
BP 10 545
Niamey, Republic of Niger
Tel.: (227) 20 73 81 47
Fax: (227) 20 73 28 55