Niger coup raises questions about uranium dependence

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Protesters hold a sign taken from the French Embassy in Niamey during a demonstration that followed a rally in support of the junta in Niamey, Niger on July 30, 2023. PHOTO | AFP

The military coup in Niger last week raises the question of Europe's dependency on uranium mined in the West African nation for its nuclear power plants.

France's nuclear fuel firm Orano, formerly part of Areva, operates a uranium mine in the north of the country, employing some 900 mostly Nigerien staff.