AREVA, which has had a presence in Niger for over 50 years, regularly provides its supports to projects to help the country’s population in terms of healthcare, education and local development through the AREVA Foundation, Mining Social Committees and its industrial partners, SOMAÏR, COMINAK and IMOURAREN SA.
October, AREVA provided its support to several initiatives in the north of the country.
These projects aim to improve the daily lives of Nigeriens, in coordination with stakeholders.
A new classroom, whose construction was funded by AREVA’s corporate foundation, was inaugurated in a kindergarten in Arlit on October 26.
The structure was created by the SAHEL association* for disadvantaged children age six and under. It has been managed for five years by active members of the association, including several volunteers who are AREVA employees.
The new classroom now receives 32 disadvantaged children from the community. When the new school year begins, it will receive 50 students.
The work has ensured that the kindergarten will last for a long time and has been approved by the Arlit School Inspectorate, which will provide assistance to it.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of the Governor of the Agadez region, the Prefect of Arlit, Ministry of Education officials, the Arlit primary education inspector, the city's Mayor and the management of the SOMAIR and COMINAK mining companies.
On this occasion Mr. Mohamed Awi Alher, Arlit primary education inspector, said: "We are proud of this partnership between the SAHEL association and the AREVA Foundation to promote education in the Arlit region. I express my gratitude in the name of government authorities, parents and all of the educational communities who promote education in the Arlit region."
* The SAHEL association provides support to development projects in northern Niger, in particular projects focused on the children of nomadic peoples.
On October 19, 2013, Compagnie Minière d’AKOUTA (COMINAK)*, operated by AREVA in the north of Niger, handed out an upgraded administrative building to the Iferouane prefecture. The renovated facility is also endowed with a surrounding wall.
On a regular basis, COMINAK provides financial and other tangible support to Nigerien populations as a contribution to social and economic development at the local level, particularly in the Agadez region.
Iferouane Prefect Lieutenant Hassane Anoutab concluded the ceremony with the following statement: "The prefecture is transformed and the improvement is not limited to our working conditions but also addresses the security of our offices, thanks to the new surrounding wall. I am very pleased with COMINAK's initiative."
* Since 1978, COMINAK has operated several uranium deposits in the Arlit Department. The company's shareholders include AREVA (34%), Société du Patrimoine des Mines du Niger (SOPAMIN) (31%), Overseas Uranium Development Company Ltd of Japan (OURD) (25%), and Empresa Nacional del Uranio S.A. of Spain (10%).
On October 18, 2013, Compagnie Minière d’Akouta (COMINAK)*, operated by AREVA in the north of Niger, handed out water wells fed by solar pumps to four villages in the rural town of Iferouane.
Four tanks, each designed to contain 10m3 of water, were installed in the villages of Fowdet, Etagas, Agadal and Tchiaran. The tanks are filled by submerged solar pumps. They will feed water to basins providing water to farm animals.
The cattle and goat farmers of this pastoralist region thanked COMINAK for its contribution to the development of their economic activities. The city's Vice-Mayor, Mr. Mohamed Ilatou, offered the following comment: "We are immensely satisfied. These facilities contribute to the restoration of peace by preventing disputes between animal farmers who need to provide water to their respective herds. This support will also contribute to the schooling of our children, who will not have fetch water for the animals day after day."
* Since 1978, COMINAK has operated several uranium deposits in the Arlit Department. The company's shareholders include AREVA (34%) Société du Patrimoine des Mines du Niger (SOPAMIN) (31%), Overseas Uranium Development Company Ltd of Japan (OURD) (25%), and Empresa Nacional del Uranio S.A. of Spain (10%).
On September 17, 2013, Compagnie Minière d’Akouta (COMINAK)*, operated by AREVA in the north of Niger, handed out three fully-equipped classrooms to the Mayor of the rural town of Timia.
The classrooms were built in the villages of Oufen, Tassalwat and Tefarawt. They will serve almost 150 children each year, thus improving child education in the villages.
Timia's Mayor, Mr. Siliman Ilatou, offered the following comment: "In addition to building classrooms, Cominak provided support to train the teachers. Cominak's support improves our children's access to education. We are very grateful."
* Since 1978, COMINAK has operated several uranium deposits in the Arlit Department. The company's shareholders include AREVA (34%) Société du Patrimoine des Mines du Niger (SOPAMIN) (31%), Overseas Uranium Development Company Ltd of Japan (OURD) (25%), and Empresa Nacional del Uranio S.A. of Spain (10%).