| Location | |
|---|---|
| Location | Arlit |
| Agadez Region | |
| Country | Niger |
| Production | |
| Products | uranium |
| History | |
| Opened | 1971 |
| Owner | |
| Company | AREVA (63.4%), Government of Niger (36.6%) |
| Year of acquisition | 1969 |
SOMAIR (Société des Mines de l'Air) is a national mining company of Niger in the mining area of its northern zone.[1] Established in 1968, it started uranium mining at the Arlit deposit in 1971, mining 0.30 - 0.35% ore down to depth of 60 metres (200 ft) depth.[2] By 1981, the company was producing 2100 tU/yr and by 2006 it was producing 1565 tU at the Tamou deposit.[2] The production peaked to 3065 tU in 2012. The resources, according to the Red Book, are assessed at 23,170 tU, as of 2010, at 42,200 tU of 0.25%U grade recoverable conventionally, and 5500 tU of 0.07%U grade from heap leaching.[2] SOMAIR is one of two national mining companies in Niger, the other being COMINAK in the nearby Akokan.[3][4][5][6]
- ^ "RPT-Work resumes at Areva Somair uranium mine in Niger". Reuters. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ^ a b c "Uranium in Niger". World Nuclear Association. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ^ Niger: 2001 Article IV Consultation, the Second Review and Second Annual Program Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility Arrangement, and Request for Interim Assistance Under the Enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries--Staff Report; Public Information Notice and News Brief on the Executive Board Discussion (EPub). International Monetary Fund. 1 March 2002. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-4527-3932-8. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ^ "Potential Use of Radioactively Contaminated Mining Materials in the Construction of Residential Homes From Open Pit Uranium Mines in Gabon And Niger" (PDF). Uranium Mining in Niger. Directorate-General For External Policies of the Union Directorate B, Policy Department. p. 19. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- ^ "Left in the dust: AREVA's radioactive legacy in the desert towns of Niger" (PDF). Greenpeace. p. 10. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- ^ "Akokan and Arlit, Niger" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 28 April 2013.