COMINAK
| Company type | Partnership |
|---|---|
| Industry | Uranium mining |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Akokan , Niger |
| Products | Uranium |
Number of employees | 1150–1200 |
| Parent | Areva NC (partnership with Nigerien government) |
COMINAK (Compagnie minière d'Akokan) is a uranium mining enterprise based in Niger, functioning as a partnership between the Nigerien government and the French company Areva NC.
Formed in 1974 through a trilateral agreement involving France, Japan, and Niger, COMINAK commenced uranium extraction in 1978, reaching its highest annual production of 2,260 tons in 1981. Its mining operations are situated in the town of Akokan, close to Arlit.
Alongside SOMAIR, which operates nearby in Arlit, COMINAK stands as one of Niger's two principal national uranium producers.
By 2011, the estimated uranium ore reserves held by COMINAK totaled approximately 29,000 tons with an average uranium concentration of 0.4%. This contrasts with SOMAIR’s reserves of 14,000 tons at 0.3% grade and the larger Imouraren deposit, which contains around 120,000 tons at a lower grade of 0.15%.
History
The initial uranium prospecting efforts began in 1956 under the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and were later continued by COGEMA, resulting in mining activities at the Akouta and Akola sites operated by COMINAK. In 1970, a research agreement was signed between France, Japan, and Niger to develop the Akouta underground mines. Established officially in 1971, COMINAK launched uranium mining operations in Niger with its processing plant becoming fully operational by 1978 and gradually expanding thereafter. The company’s underground mines rank among the largest worldwide. In 1975, COGEMA transferred the mining concessions for Akouta to COMINAK. Production peaked at 2,260 metric tons annually in 1981 but declined to approximately 1,960 metric tons by 1986. The Akola concession was leased to COMINAK in 1987.
By 1998, a total of 40 million tons of uranium ore had been processed and containerized, followed by a renewed mining contract covering the period from 2004 to 2013. A feasibility study for the Afasto site culminated in extraction activities commencing in 2007. COMINAK achieved ISO 14001 certification for environmental management and sustainable development in 2003, with subsequent renewals in 2006 and 2008. Between 2006 and 2008, a development program was implemented alongside exploration efforts extending into the Agebout and Afouday regions. That same year, authorization was granted for operations in southern Ebba. The Imouraren deposit—discovered in 1969 and located about 80 km south of Arlit—was further explored during favorable market conditions in 2006; mining began there in 2011. As Africa’s second-largest active uranium mine, Imouraren’s reserves were projected to sustain production for roughly fifteen years as of 2010 at an annual extraction rate of around 1,433 metric tons.
The Akouta zone has been operational since 1978 and lies approximately ten kilometers west of Arlit; it was initially identified by CEA during surveys conducted in 1966-67. Early development plans aimed for an output of about 2,000 tons of processed uranium ore by the year 1980. Being the second company formed for uranium extraction in Niger, COMINAK’s processing facility has played a vital role since its inception in 1978.
Operations
Both SOMAIR and COMINAK function as subsidiaries under the umbrella of AREVA, organized as a joint consortium with defined ownership stakes: Cogema from France holds a 34% share; Nigerien entity Onarama owns 31%; Japanese partner Oud controls 25%; and Spanish company ENUSA (Empresa Nacional del Uranio) holds the remaining 10%. These companies maintain robust collaborations with Niger’s governmental authorities. Together, they rank third worldwide by uranium production volume. Since beginning extraction activities in 1971, both firms have consistently complied with their contractual obligations to the Government of Niger. As of 2011, COMINAK possessed certifications for environmental management (ISO 14001) and occupational health and safety (OHSAS 18001). Its legal agreements with Niger are effective until the year 2103.
COMINAK’s main operational center is located in Akokan, Niger, near Arlit, featuring a dedicated mining community that accommodates administrative offices and employee housing. The company employs roughly 1,150 personnel and provides comprehensive health and social welfare services aimed at enhancing local living standards. Additionally, it manages a training center for workers that remained active as of 2007. To address environmental concerns related to uranium emissions, COMINAK has implemented various social responsibility programs while maintaining its internationally recognized ISO certifications.
Production
The Akouta underground mine operated by COMINAK is equipped with two declines inclined at a 20% gradient, designated for engine access and ore transport via conveyor belts. The mine's network includes more than of tunnels descending to depths of , with stopes reaching lengths up to . Adjacent to the mine, the Akouta processing plant features a sulphuric acid facility that utilizes imported sulphur. In 2010, the mine achieved a production volume of 1,606 tonnes of uranium metal, contributing to a cumulative output of roughly 61,500 tonnes since its inception in 1974. COMINAK employs around 1,200 personnel. Despite having reached its highest production levels in earlier years, the mine continues to play a significant role in Niger’s uranium industry. The ore extracted ranks among the highest-grade deposits in Africa, surpassed only by those found in Canada. COGEMA holds close to a 66% share of uranium concentrate production, and the remaining ore reserves are projected to sustain operations for several decades.
Geology
Uranium mineralization is found within continental lower Carboniferous sandstone formations, where it occurs alongside quartz, feldspar, clay minerals, and organic substances such as pitchblende. The uranium concentration averages near 4000 ppm. The COMINAK mining sites lie within the Guezouman conglomeratic deposits of Viséan age and the Tarat sandstones from the Namurian period, as well as Jurassic Tchirezrine sandstones containing Imourean deposits. Essentially, uranium mineralization is hosted within sandstone strata.
The extraction process involves oxidative dissolution with sulphuric acid. Laboratory tests on tailings reveal that uranium primarily derives from uraninite originally present in the ore, which has undergone oxidation and dissolution processes. Mining activities take place at Akouta, Akola, and Afasto sites, collectively forming the world's largest underground uranium operation with an average uranium content of 0.4%. The ore is refined into magnesium uranate, commonly known as "Yellow Cake," which holds approximately 75% uranium content. On average, each metric ton of ore yields about 4 kilograms of uranium metal.