Tribunal decision supports Orano in Somaïr dispute

Somaïr, which operates the Arlit uranium mine, is 63.4% owned by Orano, with the Niger state-owned mining assets company SOPAMIN holding 36.6%, but has been under the operational control of the Nigerien authorities since December.

The French company has filed several international arbitration proceedings against Niger since events following a 2023 coup d'état in Niger, including the inability to resume sales of uranium production from Somaïr due to a lack of logistics solutions approved by the Niger authorities. Earlier this year, Niger's Council of Ministers announced plans to appropriate and nationalise the joint venture.

Orano said the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) rendered a new decision relating to one of those filings, case number ARB/25/8, on 23 September.

"In its decision, the arbitral tribunal ordered the State of Niger not to sell, transfer, or even facilitate the transfer to third parties of the uranium produced by SOMAÏR that was withheld in violation of Orano’s rights, as requested by Orano," the company said.

"Orano continues to deplore the prolonged detention of its representative in Niger, Mr Ibrahim Courmo, who has been illegally held since May 2025, and welcomes that ICSID has also requested the State of Niger to proceed with his release in accordance with the decision of the Niamey Court of Appeal in July 2025," the company added, saying the decision "represents a new significant step in the proceedings and confirms the relevance of the arguments presented by the group".

"Orano will continue to defend its interests with determination and reserves the right to initiate any additional actions, including criminal ones, against third parties if there is any preemption of the matter in violation of its lifting rights. Orano also remains committed to ensuring the protection of its employees, partners, and clients."

The ICSID was established in 1966 by the multilateral Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States (the ICSID Convention), and describes itself as an independent, depoliticised and effective dispute-settlement institution available to investors and States. It says it helps to promote international investment by providing confidence in the dispute resolution process. It provides for settlement of disputes by conciliation, mediation, arbitration or fact-finding.