French nuclear company Orano has revealed that Nigerien authorities have seized operational control of the Somair uranium mine, despite Orano’s 63% majority stake. The move is the latest act of aggression by Niger's military-led government, which seized power in a 2023 coup, intensifying tensions with foreign investors in the West African country. Niger, which contributes 4% of global uranium output, suspended exports last year, prompting Orano to halt production shortly afterward. The company said a recent board resolution to suspend production expenditures to preserve funds for salaries was ignored by the government, worsening Som