Field Report: Discover pragmatic examples of customer benefits
2010 Responsible Development of AREVA’s Mining Activities Report
![Rapport environnemental social et sociétal de COMURHEX Malvési 2010 [FR]](/mediatheque/liblocal/images/mediatheque/vignettes/activites/amont/chimie/vignette-Malvesi-2010.png)
Rapport environnemental social et sociétal de COMURHEX Malvési 2010 [FR]
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Responsible uranium extraction in Niger
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"Comurhex II" brochure
SOMAÏR: a growing uranium producer
SOMAÏR, a subsidiary of AREVA, has been mining several uranium deposits in northwestern Niger, several kilometers from the city of Arlit, since 1971. The company intends to gradually increase its production to reach 3,000 tons in 2012.
Production: objective of 3,000 tons in 2012
At the site, the uranium ore is extracted in open-pit mines at a depth of 50 to 70 meters. This is a horizontal sedimentary deposit, situated 7 kilometers northwest of the town of Arlit.
The ore is then processed in the plant, located in the vicinity of the site, that can treat around 1,300 metric tons per year.
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
In 2009, SOMAÏR produced 1,808 metric tons of uranium metal in the form of a uranium concentrate of sodium hydroxide. The cumulative production since mining commenced was around 50,000 metric tons of uranium at the end of 2009.
Production should gradually reach 3,000 metric tons by 2012, in particular by mining low-content ore (less than 1 kilogram of uranium per metric ton of rock) by heap leaching. By the end of 2009, 23,171 metric tons of uranium reserves (of which 21,876 are accessible to AREVA) were identified within the SOMAÏR area (Tamou, Tabellé, Tamgak, Ariège and Artois). At the current rate of production, these deposits will enable approximately 13 years of production.
Mining in harmony with local development
ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certified, SOMAÏR has been committed to a process of improving performance for several years, with a view to strengthening its competitiveness in the global uranium market.
In keeping with AREVA’s policy, the presence of SOMAÏR facilitates the creation of several hundred direct and indirect jobs that benefit the local population directly. SOMAÏR further promotes access to health and social services in an isolated region and thus contributes to improving local populations’ living conditions.
SOMAÏR employs around 1,000 staff, 98% of whom are Nigerien. It is headquartered in Niamey.
Key dates for SOMAÏR
- 2009 : Start of the facilities to process low grade ore (less than 1kg of uranium per ton of rocks)through heap leaching
- 2008: Renewal of ISO 14001 certification and award of OHSAS 18001 certificate (occupational health and safety)
- 2006-2008: 26 consecutive months of activity with no occupational accidents for SOMAÏR employees (performance unrivalled throughout the entire continent)
- 2005: Start of project to process ore through heap leaching (SOMAÏR Lixi project)
- 2005: Renewal of ISO 14001 certification
- 2004: Feasibility study for Artois deposit
- January 2004: Start of current mining agreement (valid until end of 2013)
- 2002: ISO 14001 certification (sustainable management and environmental protection)
- 2001-2002: Exploration resumed around the mines as part of the Tagora project and discovery of new resources
- December 1999: Start of operations for mining section of Tamou open-pit mine
- March 1996: Start of operations for mining section of Takriza open-pit mine
- December 1995: Leasing of SMTT's mining assets to SOMAÏR by COGEMA (now AREVA)
- December 1994: Extension of the long-term agreement to December 31, 2003
- 1986: Production limited to 1,000 metric tons per year. Sub-leasing of Tassa N'Taghalgué area to SOMAÏR by the SMTT
- 1981: Record production of 2,100 metric tons, with a workforce of 1,600 people, including 158 expatriates
- December 1977: Decision to increase SOMAÏR's production capacity to 2,300 metric tons per year
- October 1973: Decision to increase SOMAÏR's production capacity to 1,500 metric tons per year
- January 1971: Production of first batch of uranate
- June 1968: Leasing (transfer of mining rights) of Arlette area to SOMAÏR
- February 2, 1968: Founding of SOMAÏR
Contact
SOMAIR
Immeuble Sonora - Rond Point Kennedy
B.P. 12910
Niamey, Niger
Tel.: +227 72 29 70 / +227 72 51 13
