What our organisations demand from Areva:

In view of Areva being a majority state-owned corporation, we put forward the following demands: AREVA in Africa ♦ an immediate suspension of all mining projects until an independent environmental and health assessment, 107, Bd de Magenta 9 rue Dumenge responsible to both the host state and the population affected, is made of all of Areva's operations; we should expect that 75 010 PARIS 69317 LYON Cedex 04 survie.org sortirdunucleaire.org Areva would conform to French regulations on the impacts of mining. 01 44 61 03 25 04 78 28 29 22

[email protected] The hidden face of [email protected] ♦ payment of taxes or contributions by Areva to host states, entrusted to an independent management structure that will ensure rehabilitation of sites after extraction, and cleanup of operating sites and their surroundings (this should include containment of tailings and radioactive waste, collection of waste and contaminated scrap metal, securing of safe French nuclear power water for local population, etc.)

♦ respect the United Nation’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People , particularly on the need for the close involvement of local people in decisions related to management of water resources and use of land. "In France, we don’t have oil, but we do have nuclear power."

♦ set up a fund for all ex-miners and people living close to the mines, in addition to provision of a complete medical For 40 years, France has justified its nuclear This logic underpins the French policy of uranium examination, a retrospective assessment of radioactive doses incurred, a long-term health monitoring system conducted power industry by claiming it brings the country “energy extraction, and the behaviour of Areva, the major French by independent medical organizations, and the compensation for damage suffered. independence” . Yet, even before the closure of the last company involved (formerly Cogema). Areva ran uranium uranium mine on French soil in 2001, the fuel for French mines in Gabon and continues to do so in and other nuclear plants was largely imported. Now all of it is African countries. Its interests were and are still protected e French institutions: imported. Although uranium now comes by the Africa unit at the Elysée (presidency) hat Survie demands from th from different countries, African uranium which sponsors coups and gives strong W has always been indispensable for running support to dictatorial "friends of France". French nuclear power plants. There regimes were and are more ♦ Put an end to the various military, diplomatic and ♦ Urgently introduce binding legislation on fiscal sympathetic to French economic interests financial support mechanisms used by France to transparency, forcing multinationals to issue country by than concerned about feeding their own support dictatorships and other authoritarian or country accounts for their activities in each jurisdiction How then can France speak about energy people. corrupt regimes. For decades they have been complicit where they operate. independence? It’s simple. French leaders in France’s extraction of strategic resources. consider that the former French colonies France’s so-called "energy independence "

continue to belong to France. And the price came at a great price: Energy ♦ Urgently introduce binding legislation on the ♦ Strengthen the struggle against corruption, for example environmental and social responsibility of French by the elimination of bank secrecy and tax havens, and France pays for uranium is so low that it "independence " for some, energy poverty companies, by extending their legal responsibility to their through ensuring the automatic transmission of tax almost fails to show in the official figures. and misery and the loss of sovereignty for foreign subsidiaries. and, by leading by example, pressure information between jurisdictions. millions of African people. the EU and other countries to do the same.

The nuclear euphoria downgraded Join the campaign to stop Areva making its own rules in Niger From 2006 uranium prices began to explode as a As usual, the countries in which Areva is invested

This campaign is an alliance of a number of organisations which challenge Areva, France, the European Union result of speculation. Areva responded by expanding its receive few financial benefits, showing that the and the international community to face their respective responsibilities. It campaigns against the disastrous mining investments, especially in Africa. With the help of promise of economic development based on uranium consequences of French energy choices in Europe, and supports those in Niger who pay the price. official and informal networks the company purchased new mining by a foreign company is an illusion. This is a network for solidarity and action. The alliance works with those affected and supports them in their fight [email protected] companies and won new contracts – some with secret for the recognition of their rights, dignity and fundamental liberties. areva.niger.free.fr clauses – in the Central African Republic, Niger, the In the case of Areva, the responsibility rests upon the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, South Africa and French state, its main shareholder. The government now Namibia. wants to sell Areva’s mining division, the most profitable part of the company. Once privatised, the company will be Join Sortir du nucléaire ! Since 1997, the network Sortir du nucléaire (Get out of nuclear power) represents a majority position in public opinion: France The price has since tumbled and Areva’s profits have been driven even more by the profit motive and speculation. It must abandon nuclear energy and start promoting energy revised downwards since the end of the boom. Extensive will answer only to the interests of private shareholders. efficiency and renewable energy sources. mining plans are now frozen, until they become profitable This is another reason for ending French uranium mining

Our role is to bring together all those wishing to see a nuclear phase-out. Our charter aims at achieving concrete again. in Africa. results. More than 900 groups and 50,000 people have already signed. In 2012, the network consists of a team [email protected] of over 30 volunteers and employees, hundreds of resource people, tens of thousands of activists and supporters in France and around the world who demand change ... Why not you? www.sortirdunucleaire.org French organisations exploiting uranium A ‘BLACK FILE’ BOOK ON THE TOPIC CEA , created in 1945, (Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique), to manufacture Raphael Granvaud details the conditions under the atomic bomb in secrecy. which France and Areva procure uranium at the Join Survie ! Survie is an association that conducts information and advocacy campaigns for a ↓ drastic reform of French policy in Africa, aimed at citizens and elected lowest price, at the cost of political interference COGEMA , created in 1976, and environmental, health and social disaster representatives. 100% owned by CEA, involved in the uranium chain for local people. It dispels the myth of French For Survie , development issues and poverty in developing countries have primarily political causes (from mining to reprocessing) energy independence through nuclear power, which require a political response. Each of us needs to challenge his/her elected representatives since the uranium fueling civil and military and demand control of the political choices made in his/her name. Framatome , created in 1958, built nuclear reactors in France & sold them to other countries nuclear power comes in large part from Africa. Join our 1700 members and one of our 24 local groups and participate in the spread of its [email protected] ↓ ↓ independent, critical, alternative information through its monthly journal Billets d’Afrique . Your AREVA , created in 2001, Available in French in bookshops, at Survie or contribution provides us with financial independence to perform research and to develop Join us on merger of COGEMA and Framatome publications. Sortir du Nucléaire www.survie.org

Rédaction, maquette : Raphaël Granvaud, Anne Roussel, Juliette Poirson, Danyel Dubreuil, Thomas Noirot, Stéphanie Dubois de Prisque Imprimé par 3A, 1 er tirage : 8 000 exemplaires (février 2012)

Independence under French yoke A social, health and ecological scandal At independence in 1960, the defense agreements between France and its former Algeria Niger The consequences of 40 years of mining by Cogema and later Areva in Niger are disastrous: colonies, including Niger and Gabon, have a clause called "priority supply" for 17 French nuclear tests Over 100,000 tons of uranium they resulted in agro-pastoral land-grabbing around the two mine sites, destruction of fauna from 1960 to 1966. extracted during the past 40 France on raw materials and strategic products, which safeguarded French interests. years from Arlit, in the Agadez and flora, air contamination by dust and radioactive gases, radioactive contamination of region. The opening of the water resources, and short-term irreversible exhaustion of the aquifers . A conspiracy Imouraren mine is continually of silence reigns over the health impact of mining on people. For mine workers, access postponed since 2009. to care is provided by Areva, whose doctors never diagnose radiation-induced diseases. Areva’s Françafrique networks In Mounana, Gabon, more than 10 years after the end of mining, radioactive waste is still Cogema and Areva have always used ♦ Use of intermediates in Africa , Senegal Central African Rep. present in the environment and the health status of populations remains of great concern. informal and formal channels of like French MP Patrick Balkany, Exploration since 2008. Mining taking place at Ba- kouma until 1970. After it Françafrique: unofficial emissary particularly for purchased Uramin in 2006,

negotiations with the Central African Areva was supposed to ♦ Former diplomats are put in reopen the mine but this charge of mining companies : Maurice Republic or Belgian national George Areva’s dubious investments Forrest in DR Congo, known as the has been suspended. Delauney, ambassador to Gabon, "Viceroy of Katanga"! Areva has sometimes made incompetent business deals. Its acquisition of became CEO of Comuf from 1979 to Canadian-quoted company Uramin in 2007 for €1.8 billion in dubious circumstances 1989; Dominique Pin, formerly working DR Congo is a perfect example. Registered in the British Virgin Islands, a famous tax haven, ♦ Former military or secret agents at the Africa unit at the Elysee became In 2009, Areva receives a Uramin had subsidiaries in Namibia, Central African Republic, Senegal and South are commissioned , like Gilles director of Areva in Niger during the secret licence to explore Africa. At the end of 2011, when Areva did its accounts, it realised that its losses Denamur, former colonel and defence the whole DRC, something tense period of renegotiation of the on the Uramin deal amounted to €1.9 billion, more than the cost of purchasing attache at the French Embassy in never heard of before! price of uranium by in 2007. the company! A financial audit was instigated by the French National Assembly in Niamey, sent in 2007 to Niger by the Gabon He worked at the Elysee at the same June 2011 to examine the acquisition of Uramin. It is not out of the question that private company Epée (Sword) The Mounana mine was worked time as Anne Lauvergeon, future boss from 1961 to 1999. The mine has intermediaries received illegal payments to broker the deal. of Areva, was working with President responsible for security at Areva’s not been decommissioned and the mines. environmental impacts still continue. Mitterrand . Areva might open new mines.

Madagascar Areva, rebellions and insecurity in Niger Namibia Mines operated from 1953 to Niamey, 1974 : a military coup d’Etat in the service of nuclear power The Trekkopje mine is expected to 1960. Areva has continued its operations in Niger through various political crises become one of the largest opencast including the current insecurity. Its presence is even a factor in increasing tensions Since 1967, France has been extracting Niger's uranium “dirt cheap”. In 1973, the oil mines in the world. Characteristics: in the Sahel-Sahara area. Armed rebels in the 1990s and the 2007-2009 period crisis and the French decision to accelerate its nuclear program, led President low in uranium; building of a desali- nation plant to process seawater, to claimed a share of the profits from uranium mining, reflecting the frustration of of Niger to demand higher uranium prices. "Diori reasoned that if use Italie for treating the rock! This local residents of the mining areas. Areva took advantage of the state of emergency Niger could contribute to the exceptional nuclearity of France, then surely France project is currently suspended. in Northern Niger in 2008 to validate its environmental impact assessment study for could make exceptional contributions to the economic development of Niger" explains the opening of the Imouraren mine. the historian Gabrielle Hecht. Negotiations became strained. On the night of 14 to 15 April1974, Hamani Diori was ousted by a military coup led by Seyni Kountche. The South Africa At the end of 2010, AQIM (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) leaders had received pledges of French support prior to their coup. French From 1961, France contributed to civilian and military nuclear program kidnapped several French expatriates working for Areva and soldiers refused to intervene despite the existing defence agreement between the of the apartheid regime, in ex- French company Vinci Satom in the heart of the mining town two countries. change for uranium (coming from of Arlit. Five are still being held hostage, allowing France to Namibia, occupied by South Africa). Past uranium mining Areva built 2 nuclear power plants justify strengthening its military presence i n Niger and its Operating uranium mining and is aiming to build a new one neighbours, and extending security provisions of mines by How France preserved its interests in Niger in 2009-2010 (the EPR). Planned uranium mining the army of Niger and private companies. Nuclear tests

In 2007 , the President of Niger, Mamadou Nuclear power plants Tandja, opened the race for mining permits. The EU suspended its cooperation with Niger. Competition among investors was extremely Neighbouring countries protested Tandja's The mobilisation of civil society sharp, especially in vying for the giant mine at third term. France's position becames We condemn the disastrous consequences of French energy choices and Areva’s propaganda. Using Imouraren, coveted by Areva. To get it, the untenable. On 18 February 2010 , when huge advertising budgets, the company tells Europe about its "clean energy", and tells Africa about its latter accepted an increase in uranium Mamadou Tandja was overthrown by Niger’s Key figures military, Joyandet, the French 87% of Areva’s shares heldheld by the by theFrench French state. state. support to local development of regions, while actually looting them. prices.

Secretary of State for Cooperation, 1/3 of the of theuranium uranium needed needed for thefor the58 French58 French At the beginning of 2009, protests immediately announced that there In Niger and in Gabon, civil society organisations like Aghir In Man in Arlit, GREN and ROTAB nuclearnuclear power power plants plants comes comes from from Niger. Niger. in Niamey, Brainforest in Libreville, denounce uranium mining. In Falea, Mali, ARACF is against Mamadou Tandja grew was "no reason to fear that the long- when he was preparing to seek a term partnership built by Areva with 1/4 of Areva’sAreva’s uranium uranium produ produ ction ction in 2008 in 2008 was was drawing attention to the consequences of uranium exploration being undertaken by Rockgate, a third term unconstitutionally. In the Nigerien state and local extracted in Niger. Canadian company. In these countries there is an absence of public debate about mining issues. Governments ignore critics and Areva buys their silence and the silence of the March, came to communities would be disrupted." Areva’s mining division (the(the worldwide worldwide most most Niamey to "pre-sign" the contract France apparently knew what was populations while claiming to spend € 6 million per year on sustainable development activities. profitableprofitable mining mining division), division), accounts accounts for 12%for 12% of of for Imouraren: in order to get the coming and did not dissuade the Areva’sAreva’s turnover turnover and and 40% 40% of ofgross gross investments investments giant mine contract for Areva, military from overthrowing a France did not hesitate to support president who was determined to in 2007-2011. To go further… Tandja and to accept the trampling open up the country to Iranian and Books and reports on Nigeriens’ constitutional rights. Chinese interests. - F.-X. Verschave, Noir Silence , Les Arènes (2000) - D. Lorentz, Affaires atomiques, Les Arènes (2001) - Rapports Aghir In Man/CRIIRAD/ Sherpa (2005), Greenpeace (2010) 1945 1958 1959 1967 1974 1976 1982 1999 2001 2003 2004 2005-2007 2009 2011 Documentaries - Uranium, l’héritage empoisonné , D. Hennequin (2009) Formation Formation 1945-1959 Formation Formation Military coup Formation of President Uranium Formation President First NGO President Areva suspends Steep rise in - Uranium, la Cogema a-t-elle of the CEA of Comuf, France of Somaïr, of Cominak, in Niger Mitterrand mining ends of Areva Chirac survey Sarkozy several mining Cogema price of uranium contaminé le Niger? CEA’s develops subsidiary of subsidiary of against visits in Gabon visits on impact visits projects in Areva buys M. Despratx (2005) Gabon uranium CEA, to run CEA, to run President President President of uranium Presidents Africa, and Uramin Web sites subsidiary, exploratory the 1st the 2nd Diori Kountche Tandja in mining of Niger and decides on the www.rotabniger.org to mine missions in uranium mine uranium mine in Niger Niger in Niger Niger renego- DR Congo private sale of www.criirad.org uranium all its African in Niger in Niger ciates uranium its mining www-personal.umich.edu/~hechtg/ colonies TimeTime line line contract division