In a decisive move to consolidate national control over strategic resources, Niger’s military-led government has announced the nationalization of Société des Mines du Liptako (SML), the operator of the West African country’s only industrial-scale gold mine. The decision targets Australia’s MacNeil Resources, which the authorities accuse of committing “serious breaches” that have harmed the nation’s vital mining sector.
The announcement, broadcast on state television on Friday evening, underscores the administration’s “sovereignty restoration” agenda, which aims to ensure that Nigeriens fully benefit from their country’s mineral wealth. According to the government, the takeover is intended to “save a strategic institution” and is in line with the vision of President Abdourahamane Tiani to achieve “full national control over natural resources.”
Alleged Failure to Invest
Officials say MacNeil Resources, which acquired an 80% stake in SML in November 2019, failed to meet a contractual requirement to present an investment plan worth at least $10 million within the first three months of operation. Authorities claim this failure led to repeated production halts, deterioration of the company’s finances, delays in salary payments, job cuts, rising debts, and unpaid taxes.
The Liptako mine, located in the western region of Tillabéri, produced just 177 kilograms of gold in 2023, compared to 2.2 tonnes extracted through artisanal methods, according to figures from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
Part of a Broader Nationalization Drive
This move comes just two months after the government seized control of the French-owned uranium mining company Somaïr, operated by Orano, amid mounting diplomatic tensions between Niamey and Paris following the July 2023 coup. In another recent step, Niger expelled Chinese oil workers and accused China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) of violating local laws and “disregarding existing regulations.”
Strategic Shift in Economic Policy
Analysts say the latest measures highlight a clear policy shift toward reducing foreign dominance in key sectors and asserting state sovereignty over mineral and energy resources. Since coming to power two years ago, Niger’s military council has prioritized national ownership of critical industries as part of its broader economic restructuring strategy.
With gold and uranium accounting for a significant share of Niger’s export revenues, the government’s aggressive resource nationalism is likely to reshape the country’s relations with international investors—potentially deterring some, while attracting others willing to operate under stricter state oversight.
