On April 23, 2025, Niger officially launched an ambitious project to create a gold refinery on its territory, in partnership with the Emirati company Suvarna Royal Gold Trading LLC. This agreement marks a major step in the national strategy aimed at strengthening local value added in the gold industry and increasing the country’s economic sovereignty.
Project Outline
The partnership has given rise to a joint venture, Royal Gold Niger SA, which will be responsible for developing an industrial complex comprising:
- A gold refinery
- A jewelry manufacturing unit
- A gemstone cutting and polishing center
The stated objective is to locally process the extracted gold so that the wealth generated primarily benefits Nigeriens, thus breaking with the tradition of exporting raw ore.
Context and Challenges
Niger has several gold mines, mainly in the Agadez (north) and Tillabéri (west) regions, but only the Samira mine is exploited industrially. The remaining production comes from artisanal gold mining.
In 2023, national gold production amounted to 2,424 tonnes, of which only 177.54 kg came from industrial mining, the rest being artisanal. The refinery project is part of the new mining policy, which aims to regain full control of the country’s strategic natural resources.
Statements and Ambitions
Niger’s Minister of Mines, Commissioner Colonel Abarchi Ousmane, emphasized that this initiative represents “a firm political will to make the mining sector a true lever of sovereignty, prosperity, and national dignity.” He emphasized the need to structure artisanal gold mining to make it a driver of sustainable development, while ensuring the traceability and local value of gold.
Economic and Political Significance
This refinery will allow Niger to join the select group of African countries with domestic gold processing capacity. By actively participating in the joint venture, the Nigerien government aims to ensure that the profits from gold primarily benefit the local population and future generations.
The project also aims to combat informality and clandestine networks in the gold mining sector by promoting more structured and transparent operations.
“From now on, Niger’s gold will no longer just be extracted; it will be processed here for the benefit of Nigeriens,” declared the Minister of Mines.
Conclusion
The creation of this gold refinery represents a major structural change for the Nigerien economy. It reflects a desire for greater sovereignty, the creation of local added value, and better redistribution of wealth from the gold mining sector. The partnership with Suvarna Royal Gold Trading LLC paves the way for a profound transformation of the sector, with expected economic, social, and political benefits for Niger and its citizens.
