Niger Records Progress on Dasa Uranium Project, Strengthens Gold Ambitions
West Africa WeeklyJanuary 12, 20261 Mins read1.2k 
Niger is recording major advances in its mining sector, with significant progress reported on the Dasa uranium project and renewed momentum in gold production as the government pushes to strengthen control over strategic natural resources.
According to the chief executive of SOMIDA, the company developing the Dasa uranium project, production is expected to reach 1,400 tonnes of uranium per year over a projected lifespan of 24 years. Operations are scheduled to begin as early as 2026, marking a key milestone for Niger’s drive toward greater mining and energy sovereignty.
In the gold sector, the Société des Mines de Liptako (SML), the country’s only industrial gold processing facility, has posted a strong performance for 2025. This comes just months after the company was nationalised in August 2025, with authorities pointing to stable output as evidence of continuity in national gold production despite the ownership transition.
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Both SOMIDA and SML operate under the supervision of Niger’s Ministry of Mines. On January 9, the Minister of Mines, Ousmane Abarchi, visited the two sites as part of a broader government strategy to accelerate mining development and maximise economic returns for the state.
The latest developments underline Niger’s determination to reposition its mining sector as a pillar of national sovereignty and economic resilience, particularly in the broader framework of cooperation among Sahel states.
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