Niger, UAE Firm Sign Deal to Establish Gold Refinery – Mines Minister Vows Local Processing to Benefit Citizens

Niger has signed a joint venture agreement with the Emirati company Suvarna Royal Gold Trading LLC to establish the country’s first gold refinery and precious stone processing units.

The agreement, formalised during a ceremony at Uranium House in Niamey, brings to life Royal Gold Niger SA, a new joint venture tasked with building a gold refinery, jewelry manufacturing unit, and gemstone cutting and polishing centre on Nigerien soil.

Present at the signing were Niger’s Minister of Mines, Colonel Abarchi Ousmane, Minister of Budget Mamane Sidi, and Suvarna CEO Pattni Kamlesh Mansukhal Damji.

This is a structural revolution because, from now on, Niger’s gold will no longer just be extracted, it will be processed here, for the benefit of Nigeriens,” Minister of Mines said.

He emphasised that the project aligns with the strategic vision set forth by the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), which since 2023 has prioritised national resource development across the entire value chain—from extraction to processing to commercialisation.

While artisanal gold mining has become a pillar of livelihood for many Nigerien families since the 1950s, it is our responsibility to structure this sector, protect it from illicit networks, and make it a source of tax revenue, job creation, and local training,” the minister emphasised.

“This signature is not a simple administrative or commercial act, it embodies a firm political will to make the mining sector a true lever of sovereignty, prosperity, and national dignity,” Ousmane stated.

For his part, Suvarna CEO Pattni welcomed the collaboration, praising the government’s vision and the favorable conditions for investment. Headquartered in Dubai, Suvarna specialises in physical gold trading and precious metal recycling.

Gold mining, particularly artisanal operations, has long provided livelihoods for thousands of Nigerien families. The government now aims to formalise and industrialise the sector to increase revenue, create jobs, and offer local training opportunities, while protecting it from illicit networks.

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