takeover, page-21

more trouble for Areva outside our safe namibia... ;)


Niger govt says will scrap mine deals if no benefit
By: Reuters
16th April 2010
Updated 53 minutes ago


NIAMEY - Niger's military rulers will examine the country's mining contracts and invalidate those that do not benefit Niger, it said on Friday.

"If a signed convention in the extractive industry is not advantageous for our country, there is no question of accepting it," said government spokesman Mahaman Laouali Dan Dah.

Several contracts, including those with French nuclear energy group Areva and China National Petroleum Corp. were signed under President Mamadou Tandja, who was overthrown by soldiers in the northwest African nation in February.

The military group, which calls itself the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy and appointed a transitional government last month - though it has not yet named a date for elections - has made anti-corruption a cornerstone of its appeal in the country, one of the world's poorest despite its uranium mines and oil deposits.

"We are moving to consolidate our partnerships, but if for example we find that there are people who have bought permits then done nothing, we will not hesistate to take the decisions which that demands," Dah Dah said.

Earlier this month, the government sacked 20 top officials working for state-owned companies, including those involved in representing the country's uranium and oil interests.