Nigeria knocks out Areva's uranium monopoly

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http://www.resourceinvestor.com/pebble.asp?relid=34589

Nigeria knocks out Areva’s uranium monopoly
By Jane Louis
06 Aug 2007 at 02:52 PM

The Nigerian government has ended Areva’s uranium mining monopoly in the country, where the France-based nuclear group has been mining two properties for 40 years.

Areva had been accused of backing rebels of the Tuareg Movement for Justice (MJC) in order to prohibit competition. Areva officials deny the accusation.

Areva’s contracts have been renewed, but the company will now have to sell its uranium at a higher price of 40,000 CFA francs (US$84) a kilo. Niger will also be allowed to sell on its own 300 tonnes of uranium over the next year.

The higher prices will only be valid through 2007. More negotiations will take place to set prices for the future.

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1. RPT France takes major steps towards ending Areva, Niger dispute - minister

http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2007/08/05/afx3988355.html

RPT France takes major steps towards ending Areva, Niger dispute - minister
08.05.07, 12:12 PM ET

(Repeating to amend description of Areva)

PARIS (Thomson Financial) - Jean-Marie Bockel, France cooperation minister, said 'very significant advances' have been made towards resolving the dispute between Areva (other-otc: ARVCF.PK - news - people ) and Nigeria over the nuclear group's alleged support of a Tuareg rebellion in the north of the country.

Bockel, who travelled to Niger's capital Niamey on Saturday to meet with president Mamadou Tandja, told Agence France-Presse they had not broached the subject of Dominique Pin's expulsion last week.

However, he said 'very significant advances have been made in the desire to move beyond certain misunderstandings.'

Niger last week expelled Dominique Pin amid accusations that Areva has provided support to Touareg rebels in the uranium-rich north of the country.

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