Akokan, Niger

Akokan is a mining town in the Arlit Department of the Agadez Region of northern-central Niger. It is located about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) southwest of Arlit in the Sahara Desert, and roughly 250 kilometres (160 mi) north of Agadez. It is considered to be Niger's "second uranium town". SOMAIR and COMINAK (Compagnie minière d'Akokan),[1] run by Areva and the Nigerien state, operate uranium mines in the vicinity of the towns of Akokan and Arlit.[2][3] In the maps of the area, Akokan is classified under "Mine - Agadez-Niger".[4] The Tuareg and Toubou people are local to the area.[2]

For other uses, see Akokan.
Akokan
Akokan
Location in Niger
Coordinates: 18°42′39″N 7°20′37″E
Country Niger
DepartmentArlit Department

History

The Akokan deposit was initially prospected by a France-Japan-Niger tripartite affiliation in the early 1970s.[5] In 1975, underground mining at Akokan was estimated to require over $100 million in investment.[6] Today over 100,000 people live in Akokan and Arlit.[7] Greenpeace has expressed concerns over the high radiation levels found on the streets of Akokan.[8] Afasto, south of Akokan, was the site of newly discovered uranium reserves in 2001.[1]

The operational base of COMINAK mining company was established at Akokan, Niger, near Arlit and a new mining town ship was built to house its offices and employees. The number of employees reported to be working for COMINAK is 1,150. Health and essential social services are part of the commitment by COMINAK to help and to improve living conditions for its employees and the local community.[9][10] Akokan is Niger's "second uranium town" operated by SOMAIR and COMINAK (Compagnie minière d'Akokan).

Infrastructure

The infrastructure facilities created in the town covers two field hospitals, network of well laid out roads (more than 800 kilometres (500 mi) from Tahoua, electric power supply from the 16 MW captive coal based power station near Tchirozorine and transmitting power over a transmission line of 200 kilometres (120 mi) (40 kilometres (25 mi) to thertedAkokanea north of Agadez), an airport and hotels for visitors.[7]

Akokan includes a mix of upscale living quarters and a shantytown, as well as hotels, a cultural hall and sports centers.[2]

Environmental concerns

In both the towns of Akokan and Arlit, and also close to the mines, the tailings from the processed ores are reported to possess radioactive elements which have been harmful to the health of the people; its consequences are reported to have led to premature deaths of people including the employees. The matter has been a subject of serious debate and discussions between the Environmental Activists and the AREVA (the owner of the mining operations).[11] Open cut and underground mines of Comac and Sumair, under operation for several decades of operations since the 1970s, of both the amount of tailings heaped up (totally unprotected to prevent health hazards) in the two towns has generated about 30million tons tailing and these are reported to be radioactive.[12][13] Since 2007, following the protests, several remedial actions have been initiated by Medecins du Monde and Areva; a French lawyers' association is monitoring these management actions related to health and labour safety measures.[12] The AREVA has averred with assurances that the “after effects of the mines” shall be addressed through “Sustainable Development Philosophy;".[7]

Fossiliferous site

An armored, terrestrial, herbivorous reptile, Bunostegos akokanensis (“the lump-headed reptile of Akokan") was discovered near Akokan and named in honor of the locale.[14]

References
  1. Country Report: Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali. Economist Intelligence Unit. 2001. p. 38. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  2. Idrissa, Abdourahmane; Decalo, Samuel (1 June 2012). Historical Dictionary of Niger. Scarecrow Press. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-8108-6094-0. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  3. "Potential Use of Radioactively Contaminated Mining Materials in the Construction of Residential Homes From Open Pit Uranium Mines in Gabon And Niger" (pdf). Uranium Mining in Niger. Directorate-General For External Policies of the Union Directorate B, Policy Department. p. 18.
  4. "Cartes - Akokan - Niger 2013" (in French). French Map Atlas Orfganization. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  5. United States. Joint Publications Research Service (1972). Translations on Sub-Saharan Africa. p. 25. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  6. Hance, William Adams (1975). The Geography of Modern Africa. Columbia University Press. p. 241. ISBN 978-0-231-51769-0. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  7. Usa, Usa Ibp (1 January 2011). Niger Mining Laws and Regulations Handbook. Int'l Business Publications. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-4330-7798-2. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  8. "Uranium radiation threatens people of Niger". Greenpeace. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  9. Niger: 2001 Article IV Consultation, the Second Review and Second Annual Program Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility Arrangement, and Request for Interim Assistance Under the Enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries--Staff Report; Public Information Notice and News Brief on the Executive Board Discussion (EPub). International Monetary Fund. 1 March 2002. pp. 25–. ISBN 978-1-4527-3932-8. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  10. Uranium 2005. Nuclear Energy Agency, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. 1 May 2006. pp. 243–. ISBN 978-92-64-02425-0. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  11. "Niger: radioactivity threatens population but controversy continues". Afronline. org. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  12. "Niger Overview". Uranium Network Org. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  13. "Impact of AREVA's Uranium Operations in Niger and Gabon:Health Monitoring Stations: Real Progress or Smokescreen?" (pdf). beyondnuclear.squarespace.com. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  14. Steyer, Sébastien (2012). Earth Before the Dinosaurs. Indiana University Press. pp. 92–. ISBN 978-0-253-22380-7. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
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