NIGER: Cominak uranium mine closes, radioactive pollution stays

The Akouta Mining Company (Cominak), which exploits uranium deposits in the province of Agadez, in northern Niger, will cease its activities on March 31st, 2021 after resources have been exhausted. However, the company’s plan for dismantling the mine site does not satisfy either the local population or environmentalists. The main disagreement is the management of several million tonnes of radioactive waste, stored in the open air.