France seals African uranium deals

Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, has returned home after a two-day trip to Central and West Africa during which he signed uranium-mining deals.

With renewed global interest in nuclear power, France is eager to secure and develop its supply of uranium.
Areva, France’s state-controlled nuclear-energy company, signed a deal to develop uranium mining in Niger during Sarkozy’s stopover.

French mining operations have not been without controversy, as local and international campaigners accuse Areva of looting Niger’s natural resources.

They have also criticised the “catastrophic” effects of the the activities on the environment, and thousands of Tuareg nomads have been displaced to make way for the mines.

The Tuareg, seeing little benefits from the mineral extraction, have reacted violently, launching attacks against government troops and mining facilities.

There have been reports that Areva is demanding that the French government assist Niger’s army to fight the Tuareg.

Al Jazeera