Orano

The name Orano is derived from Ouranos, the Greek god, and it refers to uranium. ==History==

Orano dates back to 1976 when based on the production division of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the Compagnie générale des matières nucléaires (COGEMA, now Orano Cycle) was created. In 2001, COGEMA was merged with Framatome and to form Areva. In 2016, due to financial difficulties, Areva initiated a restructuring process. As part of this, it created a new fuel cycle company, dubbed as New Co or New Areva. The new company combined Areva Mines, Areva NC, Areva Projects, and Areva Business Support companies. In February 2018, Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries took 5% stakes in the company each. In September 2018, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission terminated the license of Orano to construct the Eagle Rock Enrichment Facility, which was to be built in Bonneville County, Idaho. The project had been suspended since December 2011. At the same time Orano opened the Philippe Coste uranium conversion plant in France. On January 17, 2025, Orano signed a uranium deal with the Mongolian government to develop the Zuuvch-Ovoo uranium deposit located in the Gobi Desert. On March 12, 2025, in Uzbekistan, Orano signed an agreement with the producer Navoiyuran. == Controversies ==

Orano continues to conduct business in Russia despite international sanctions and widespread criticism following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The company has faced backlash for its decision to maintain its presence in the Russian market, as critics argue that such operations indirectly support the Russian economy. Orano faced controversies related to its uranium mining operations in Niger, including environmental issues and the impact on local communities. Geopolitical tensions have also raised concerns about the security and control of uranium resources in the region. Reports have emerged indicating that Orano is at risk of losing its Niger uranium mine to interests associated with Russia, heightening worries about the company's operations and involvement in international affairs. In December 2024, the French state‑owned nuclear company Orano announced that the junta had taken operational control of its subsidiary Somaïr. Efforts to resume exports had already been blocked for months, pushing Somaïr into financial crisis. The disruption forced France and the European Union to seek alternative suppliers, and EU uranium imports from Russia also rose significantly, complicating efforts to reduce dependence on Moscow during the war in Ukraine. The junta’s stance reflected both nationalist sentiment, long critical of France’s dominant role in Niger’s uranium sector, and political retaliation against Paris, which condemned the coup and supported the West African bloc ECOWAS in its pressure campaign. In June 2024, Niger cancelled Orano’s rights to develop the large Imouraren deposit, further undermining French interests. ==Operations==

Orano is engaged in uranium mining, conversion and enrichment, spent fuel recycling, nuclear logistics, dismantling, and nuclear cycle engineering activities. Its main subsidiaries include Orano Cycle, COGEMA and Areva NC, which is active in all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle; Orano Mining, which is active in mining activities, including exploration, extraction, and processing of uranium ore, Orano Med which focuses on the development of therapies to fight cancer; Orano TN, which deals with the transport of nuclear materials; and Orano Projects, which is responsible for the fuel cycle engineering. Mining uranium mine at Arlit, Niger. , Orano is the third largest uranium producer in the world with 11% share in global uranium production.). The operations of Orano Canada include interests in the McClean Lake uranium mill, Cigar Lake mine, McArthur River mine, and Key Lake uranium mill. In Kazakhstan, Orano has a joint venture with Kazatomprom named Katco. In Niger, Orano operates two mines near in Arlit, in northern Niger, and is also developing the Imouraren project situated from Arlit. In addition, it owns the mothballed Trekkopje mine in Namibia, together with the Desalination Plant near Swakopmund. In Gabon, it owns the site of former Mounana uranium mine where mining activities were carried out between 1961 and 1999. Processing The conversion and enrichment operations are carried out in Malvési and Tricastin sites in France. Transportation and storage Nuclear material transport and storage services are provided through Orano TN subsidiary. In 2017 the NUHOMS Matrix advanced used nuclear fuel storage overpack, a high-density system for storing multiple spent fuel rods in canisters, was launched. Recycling Orano provides nuclear recycling activities at the La Hague and Melox sites in France. Engineering Orano provides nuclear fuel cycle engineering services through its subsidiary Orano Projects. Its engineering sites are located in Equeurdreville, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, and Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France. The subsidiary Orano Temis is involved in mechanical engineering and manufactures special equipment, relating to the nuclear fuel cycle, as well as serving external customers in the aerospace and defense sectors. In at least one case Orano has been contracted for feasibility studies. Nuclear medicine Orano's subsidiary Orano Med deals with nuclear medicine, including the development of therapies to fight cancer. It has laboratories in Bessines-sur-Gartempe, France, and Plano, Texas, United States. ==See also==