Niger launches into copper and lithium mining to boost its resources

Niger is taking a new step in the development of its subsoil. On Sunday 23 February 2025, the government announced the imminent launch of copper extraction in the country's desert north, marking a clear desire to diversify its mineral resources. At the same time, a lithium mining project is also in the pipeline, reinforcing the strategy of the military authorities, in power since the coup in July 2023, to increase national control over the country's wealth.

It is in the Agadez region, a vast arid expanse in the north, that the Compagnie Minière de l'Air (Cominair SA), a national company, has obtained a permit to start extracting copper. According to preliminary estimates, these new mines could produce 2,700 tonnes of copper per year over a ten-year period. With a current price of around $9,000 per tonne, this project promises to generate millions of dollars in revenue and create 300 direct jobs, a welcome boost for the local economy.

"This decision joins Niger in the select circle of copper-producing nations", said the government in an official statement. Already recognised as a major uranium producer, the country sees this diversification as an opportunity to consolidate its position in the West African mining market.

In the same Agadez region, at Dannet, Compagnie Minière de Recherche et d'Exploitation (Comirex SA) has been awarded a licence to mine lithium. This more modest project plans to produce 300 tonnes a year over five years. While the volume remains limited, it illustrates Niger's ambition to invest in strategic minerals that are prized by the world's technology and energy industries.

The Nigerien government is strengthening its grip on these initiatives: it holds a 25% stake in Cominair and 40% in Comirex, reflecting a policy focused on economic sovereignty. This approach has already led to radical measures, such as the cancellation of a lithium mining licence previously granted to the French group Orano, which had been operating in Niger for half a century. This decision, criticised by the nuclear company, targeted the Imouraren site, whose uranium reserves are estimated at 200,000 tonnes.

Since coming to power, Niger's military rulers have made resource management a priority. In addition to uranium, the historical pillar of the economy, the country produces oil and gold, making it one of the key mining nations in the sub-region. The launch of copper and lithium projects is part of this strategy, aimed at reducing dependence on foreign partners while maximising economic benefits.

"These initiatives reflect a determination to exploit our resources under national control", said a government spokesman. An ambition which, if realised, could redraw the map of Niger's economic priorities, while posing logistical and environmental challenges in a region marked by aridity and insecurity.

With these new projects, Niger is diversifying its mining portfolio and opening up to promising markets. Copper, essential to the electricity industry, and lithium, indispensable for batteries, present the country with both opportunities and responsibilities. The success of this strategy will depend on the authorities' ability to secure extraction areas, invest in infrastructure and manage the social and ecological impacts in a fragile environment.

By embarking on the exploitation of copper and lithium, Niger is affirming its desire to transform its underground riches into levers for development. For the time being, however, this ambition has yet to be realised on the ground.