http://www.geographyalltheway.com/ib_geography/ib-extreme-environments/hot-arid-resources.htm

1. Niger’s Uranium Industry

2. IB Geography Syllabus Focus - Extreme Environments
Hot, arid areas:
Examine the opportunities and challenges posed for resource development
(mineral extraction and any associated settlement and communications).

3. Location

5. Opportunities

7. Uranium mining is the largest Niger industrial employment provider.

8. Uranium mining is the largest Niger industrial employment provider.
In 2006, Niger was the world’s fourth ranked producer of uranium.

9. Uranium mining is the largest Niger industrial employment provider.
In 2006, Niger was the world’s fourth ranked producer of uranium.
Exports of minerals [cement, coal, gold, gypsum, limestone, salt, silver, tin,
and uranium] consistently account for 40% of exports and about 4.5% of the
GDP.

10. Uranium mining is the largest Niger industrial employment provider.
In 2006, Niger was the world’s fourth ranked producer of uranium.
Exports of minerals [cement, coal, gold, gypsum, limestone, salt, silver, tin,
and uranium] consistently account for 40% of exports and about 4.5% of the
GDP.
In 2006 3434 tonnes of uranium were extracted from the Arlit mines and
exported to France via truck to the seaport at Cotonou, Bénin.

12. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a renewed interest in the
generation of nuclear energy had led to increased demand for uranium,
encouraged investment expansions at existing uranium mines, and promoted
exploration.

13. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a renewed interest in the
generation of nuclear energy had led to increased demand for uranium,
encouraged investment expansions at existing uranium mines, and promoted
exploration.
Foreign direct investment in the sector from 2008 to 2012 was projected to be
$1.4 billion, which would double the country’s uranium production capacity.

15. Challenges

19. During the early stages of mine setup, it was necessary to build everything
from scratch in this desert area belonging to a region with no industrial
tradition.

20. During the early stages of mine setup, it was necessary to build everything
from scratch in this desert area belonging to a region with no industrial
tradition.
The electricity needs of the mine sites are covered by the production of a
power plant located on a coal mine about 40 km to the North of the Agadez
city. A 200 km transmission line brings the power to the mines.

21. During the early stages of mine setup, it was necessary to build everything
from scratch in this desert area belonging to a region with no industrial
tradition.
The electricity needs of the mine sites are covered by the production of a
power plant located on a coal mine about 40 km to the North of the Agadez
city. A 200 km transmission line brings the power to the mines.
Another important infrastructure specially built for servicing the mining sites is
the 800 km long asphalted road from Tahoua to Arlit via Agadez, the
construction of which was 100% financed by the two mining companies.

23. Also constructed on site were an airstrip and various lodging facilities for
visitors, subcontractors and the staff.

24. Also constructed on site were an airstrip and various lodging facilities for
visitors, subcontractors and the staff.
Special attention has been paid to the problems raised by the evolution of
mine sites' population. Current staff levels for both companies are now
stabilized at about 1700 direct employees. It is estimated that, all in all, their
families total about 20 000 persons, including retired employees, most of
them still living in the area. Initially, the Arlit City was built to accommodate
5000 people. The Akokan city was established a few years later on a similar
basis. Today the two cities have more than 100 000 people, more than those
related only to uranium mining and dedicated ancillary services.

26. By AREVA’s calculation the company has pumped 270 million cubic metres of
groundwater during the past 40 years from its two mines in Arlit, of which 35
percent has been for mining activities and the rest for the town’s use.

27. By AREVA’s calculation the company has pumped 270 million cubic metres of
groundwater during the past 40 years from its two mines in Arlit, of which 35
percent has been for mining activities and the rest for the town’s use.

28. By AREVA’s calculation the company has pumped 270 million cubic metres of
groundwater during the past 40 years from its two mines in Arlit, of which 35
percent has been for mining activities and the rest for the town’s use.
Hydrologists estimate that rain-fed groundwater sources – similar to the
aquifer AREVA is tapping 150m beneath the desert – can take some 200
years to replenish.

29. By AREVA’s calculation the company has pumped 270 million cubic metres of
groundwater during the past 40 years from its two mines in Arlit, of which 35
percent has been for mining activities and the rest for the town’s use.
Hydrologists estimate that rain-fed groundwater sources – similar to the
aquifer AREVA is tapping 150m beneath the desert – can take some 200
years to replenish.

30. By AREVA’s calculation the company has pumped 270 million cubic metres of
groundwater during the past 40 years from its two mines in Arlit, of which 35
percent has been for mining activities and the rest for the town’s use.
Hydrologists estimate that rain-fed groundwater sources – similar to the
aquifer AREVA is tapping 150m beneath the desert – can take some 200
years to replenish.
Uranium extraction requires water to clean the mining site, treat the mineral
and cover workers’ and their families’ water needs, according to AREVA.

31. By AREVA’s calculation the company has pumped 270 million cubic metres of
groundwater during the past 40 years from its two mines in Arlit, of which 35
percent has been for mining activities and the rest for the town’s use.
Hydrologists estimate that rain-fed groundwater sources – similar to the
aquifer AREVA is tapping 150m beneath the desert – can take some 200
years to replenish.
Uranium extraction requires water to clean the mining site, treat the mineral
and cover workers’ and their families’ water needs, according to AREVA.

32. By AREVA’s calculation the company has pumped 270 million cubic metres of
groundwater during the past 40 years from its two mines in Arlit, of which 35
percent has been for mining activities and the rest for the town’s use.
Hydrologists estimate that rain-fed groundwater sources – similar to the
aquifer AREVA is tapping 150m beneath the desert – can take some 200
years to replenish.
Uranium extraction requires water to clean the mining site, treat the mineral
and cover workers’ and their families’ water needs, according to AREVA.
Pastoralists have also accused AREVA of depleting the region’s water.

34. In response to criticism that mining has contaminated increasingly scarce
drinking water in northern Niger, AREVA published a statement in January
2009 that “monthly bacterial, bi-annual radiological, and annual chemical
analyses show the absence of [water] contamination.”

35. In response to criticism that mining has contaminated increasingly scarce
drinking water in northern Niger, AREVA published a statement in January
2009 that “monthly bacterial, bi-annual radiological, and annual chemical
analyses show the absence of [water] contamination.”
But environmental studies carried in 2005 in mining communities showed
water radiation levels up to 110 times higher than WHO safe drinking water
standards in industrial areas and 10 times higher in urban areas.

36. In response to criticism that mining has contaminated increasingly scarce
drinking water in northern Niger, AREVA published a statement in January
2009 that “monthly bacterial, bi-annual radiological, and annual chemical
analyses show the absence of [water] contamination.”
But environmental studies carried in 2005 in mining communities showed
water radiation levels up to 110 times higher than WHO safe drinking water
standards in industrial areas and 10 times higher in urban areas.

37. In response to criticism that mining has contaminated increasingly scarce
drinking water in northern Niger, AREVA published a statement in January
2009 that “monthly bacterial, bi-annual radiological, and annual chemical
analyses show the absence of [water] contamination.”
But environmental studies carried in 2005 in mining communities showed
water radiation levels up to 110 times higher than WHO safe drinking water
standards in industrial areas and 10 times higher in urban areas.