Paris, 28/02/2022

Orano and the mining companies COMINAK and SOMAIR carry out rigorous environmental monitoring. Various parameters are monitored each year: the monitoring of the radiology of air, water, the food chain, and soils in urban areas and their rights-of-way.

The drinking water distributed in Arlit has been continuously analyzed for many years, and the results show that the water distributed complies with Nigerien standards and WHO recommendations.

All the results of environmental monitoring are regularly presented to the authorities and at public meetings. Regulatory limits for radiation protection are strictly respected. Inspections and sampling are also carried out each year by the relevant Nigerien administrations. Exposure levels are well below the regulatory threshold of 1 mSv per year set by Nigerien law, and above all do not pose any danger to the health of the population or the environment.

Since 2003, Orano Mining has set up a joint structure for its subsidiaries in Niger called "Aman", the objective of which is to refine knowledge of regional hydrogeology and guarantee the quality of supply to mining sites and surrounding towns. In this context, "Aman" also collaborates with La Nigérienne des Eaux (formerly SEEN), which is in charge of drinking water supply in the region.

Periodic monitoring campaigns have been carried out since the creation over a wider area than those traditionally conducted on the sites.

In addition to industrial activities, mining companies and Orano have invested several tens of billions of CFA francs for access to water and the economic development of the municipalities in the areas where the mining sites are located.

For example, Orano is financing the Irhazer project in Niger to the tune of €17 million in order to contribute to the sustainable food security of the population by developing irrigation systems in the desert areas of the Agadez region.

As part of the COMINAK mine redevelopment project, a support program for market gardening activities of nearly 4 billion CFA francs is being implemented to maintain and develop the irrigation systems of the 5 municipalities around our sites.

Regarding the economic benefits of Orano's activities in Niger:

FR : Orano au Niger : parlons économie ; EN : Orano in Niger- Let-s talk economics

(Translated by the Resource Centre).