Niger’s ruling junta has nationalised the country’s only industrial gold mine, accusing its Australian operator of serious breaches that have left the facility in “alarming” shape.
The Societe des mines du Liptako (SML) was taken over by McKinel Resources in 2019 but has since racked up debt, tax arrears, and worker layoffs, the junta claims.
“Natural resources must serve the Nigerien people,” junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani said in a decree aired on state TV.
The mine produced 177kg of industrial gold last year, with artisanal miners delivering over 2 tonnes. The takeover follows June’s nationalisation of a French uranium subsidiary.
