According to Minister of Mines and Energy for Niger, Mohamed Abdoulayi, French nuclear company, Areva, have signed a deal which allows Areva to mine at Imouraren in northern Niger. Areva will hold 66% shares in the project with Niger holding the remaining 34%.
The deal has been described as the country’s biggest project with investment of some US$800 billion and the potential to employ some 1 400 people. Areva is expected to begin production in 2012.