Imouraren SA: towards a record deposit

An industrial adventure that started in 1966

Discovered by teams from the Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique in 1966, the Imouraren deposit is located 160 kilometers north of Agadez and 80 kilometers south of Arlit.

Several exploration campaigns and 2 feasibility studies carried out in 1974 and 1983 enabled better identification of the vast resources of this exceptional site. However, the sudden fall in global uranium rates would prevent any economically viable mining of the deposit. The return of a more favorable market in the mid-2000s enabled its exploitation to be reconsidered and work on developing its identified resources to be relaunched.

On January 5, 2009, 40 years after the foundation of SOMAÏR, following the process of validating the project's industrial, social and environmental aspects, the mining agreement binding AREVA and the Niger Government to mining of the deposit was ratified.

A month and a half later, the Memorandum and Articles of Association for the future mining company, "Imouraren S.A.", were approved, confirming the launch of Niger’s largest-ever mining project.

Niger, in the running to become the second-largest uranium supplier in the world.

The research permit granted to AREVA NC Niger on February 7, 2006, confirmed the existence of a major deposit.

At the same time, technical studies confirmed that the group's ambitions were well-founded. The following studies were thus submitted to and approved by the authorities:

• An environmental impact study, inventory of the site's environmental features and corporate plan of action to minimize the effects of its operations on the environment. This study was further discussed publicly then validated in a work session in May 2008 in Agadez.
• A feasibility study totalling several thousand pages and detailing the work to be undertaken at the future Imouraren site.

Regarded as the largest open-pit uranium mine in Western Africa and the second largest in the world, it will enable Niger to takes its place as the second ranking uranium supplying country in the world by doubling its current production levels.

Figures for a global-sized deposit

The deposit contains a large quantity of uranium but with low content (0.8 kilograms of uranium per metric ton of rock on average) and at considerable depths (between 100 and 170 meters).

AREVA is planning the start of operations for 2013.

• Production is estimated at almost 5,000 metric tons per year for more than 35 years
• An industrial site covering almost 200 square kilometers
• An 8 kilometer-long by 2.5 kilometer-wide deposit
• 3.8 billion metric tons of unsoiling rock to be extracted

The challenges of the Imouraren project are numerous (technical difficulties, high operating costs, installation in an isolated environment, etc.) but the resources implemented are just as numerous. For the next 5 years, they represent:

• a financial undertaking estimated at 6 million euros per year,
• an investment of more than 1.2 billion euros (800 billion CFA francs),
• the recruitment of 800 statutory employees,
• the creation of almost 550 direct subcontracted jobs, in addition to 3,000 indirect jobs.

A significant contribution to development

Apart from the financial contribution generated by the mining operations, Imouraren will strengthen AREVA’s contribution to the country's socio-economic development.

This contribution relates to the fields of:

• health care,
• education and training,
• transportation,
• access to water and energy for local populations.

Key dates

• The company KEPCO (South Korea) joined the project Imouraren. The new partner will indirectly hold 10% of the operating company Imouraren SA.
• May 2009: Foundations laid for Imouraren S.A.'s mining and industrial complex, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Niger and the President of the AREVA Board of Directors
• January-February 2009: PEX (mining permit) awarded to AREVA for the Imouraren deposit and the formation of the mining company, "Imouraren S.A." (66.65% interest held by AREVA; 33.35% Niger Government)
• July 2008: After 5 days of presentations and discussion of the socio-environmental aspects of the project, a Certificate of Environmental Compliance is awarded for the Imouraren Project
• 2007: Review and general presentation of Imouraren Project for all parties involved and partners
• January 2008: AREVA and Niger agree on the terms and conditions for launching operations at Imouraren
• 2006: AREVA NC Niger granted research permit for the Imouraren deposit area
• 1974/1983: First and second feasibility studies
• 1966 Discovery of the deposit area by CEA

Contact

IMOURAREN SA
Zone Industrielle, Avenue du Progrès
BP 13088 NIAMEY
Niamey (République du Niger)