Niger cancels gold mining permits, rejects UK oil licence

Niger's military government has revoked the concessions of three gold mining companies and refused to extend an oil exploration license for a British firm, accusing the companies of failing to meet their contractual obligations.

In a statement, authorities in Niger said permits granted between 2017 and 2020 to mining companies Comini, Afior, and Ecomine had been cancelled after the firms allegedly failed to fulfill commitments such as paying taxes, submitting annual technical and financial reports, and complying with environmental regulations.

The government also rejected a request by Savannah Energy to extend an exploration and drilling license in southeastern Niger, saying the company had not complied with the terms of an output-sharing agreement covering four oil blocks.

According to Savannah Energy, the blocks span about half of the Agadem Rift Basin, Niger's main oil-producing region, where the company reports having recently discovered significant oil reserves.

The country currently has one operational industrial gold mine, Samira, which the government nationalized in 2025.