Rosatom, Niger sign memorandum on cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy, related technologies

MOSCOW. July 29 (Interfax) - Rosatom state corporation and the Nigerien Energy Ministry have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and related advanced technologies, the Russian Energy Ministry's press service said following Minister Sergei Tsivilev's visit to Niger's capital.

"Our task is not just to participate in uranium mining; we must create an entire system for developing peaceful nuclear energy in Niger. This includes constructing power generation facilities to make electricity accessible to every resident of the country, and cooperation in nuclear medicine. We also agreed on joint training of specialists in this field," Tsivilev said.

Tsivilev met with the country's president, Omar Chiani, and also held talks with Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine and Mines Minister Ousmane Abarchi. The Russian delegation included representatives of business circles and official agencies.

One of the key topics of the talks was the creation of a Russian-Nigerien intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation.

The parties also discussed cooperation in the economic sphere and the implementation of joint projects in the fields of energy, transport, infrastructure, agriculture and mineral extraction.

As reported, Niger invited Rosatom to participate in joint development of mining projects in the country. Niger is closely following the development of small and medium-sized nuclear reactors, Nigerien Mines Minister Abarchi said.

Niger is the world's seventh-largest uranium producer and possesses significant uranium reserves, particularly in the northern regions, where total reserves exceed 5,000 tonnes of uranium.