Niger’s military government has revoked the operating licence of French nuclear fuel producer Orano at the Imouraren uranium mine, one of the world’s largest, Orano confirmed on Thursday. The decision underscores growing tensions between the junta, which took power in a coup last year, and France, its former colonial power.

The military junta in Niger seized control with promises to sever ties with the West, including reviewing mining agreements and ordering the withdrawal of Western troops. Orano stated it was instructed to vacate the Imouraren site in northern Niger, which holds an estimated 200,000 tonnes of uranium crucial for nuclear energy production.

Mining at Imouraren was scheduled to begin in 2015 but was stalled due to plummeting global uranium prices following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Despite Orano resuming activities recently, Niger’s mining ministry cited dissatisfaction with Orano’s exploitation plan, leading to the cancellation of the licence.

In a letter dated 20 June, the Nigerien ministry informed Orano that the mine is now under public domain, stripping Orano of all contractual rights. The junta’s actions, including the expulsion of the French ambassador and the withdrawal of French troops fighting Islamist militants, signal a shift towards closer ties with Russia.

Orano, operating in Niger for over five decades, expressed readiness to maintain communication with the military authorities while reserving the option to pursue legal recourse in national or international courts against the licence revocation.