The AREVA group’s operations

Activities diagram

Click on the picture to zoom

AREVA provides solutions adapted to the needs of nuclear and renewable-energy electricity producers. It offers a wide range of services and technologies enabling competitive production that is safe and respectful of the environment.

By developing the synergy between the low-carbon solutions, AREVA’s 48,000 employees help to supply safer, cleaner and more economical energy to more people every day.

BUSINESS GROUPS DEDICATED TO OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

AREVA's activities are organized in five Business Groups (BG).

  • The Mining business group comprises the activities of exploration, extraction and the processing of uranium ore and site reclamation after production has finished. The group has a diversified portfolio of mines, enabling it to guarantee the supply of uranium to customers. AREVA also produces gold through its subsidiary La Mancha, created in 2006.
pdf
2010 Responsible Development of AREVA’s Mining Activities Report

2010 Responsible Development of AREVA’s Mining Activities Report

AREVA’s mining activities place it among the world leaders in uranium production. What is the main objective of AREVA’s mining activities? Ensuring uranium supply over the long term to produce nuclear power while emitting less CO2, reducing risks to people and the environment and contributing to the development of areas where mining activities take place.

  • The world leader in the front end of the nuclear cycle, the Front End business group comprises the activities of uranium conversion and enrichment as well as fuel design and fabrication for light-water reactors, pressurized-water reactors (PWR), boiling-water reactors (BWR) and research reactors.
  • The Reactors and Services business group designs and builds reactors for nuclear power plants, naval propulsion and research as well as related equipment. It also offers the products and services necessary to maintain, operate, modernize and upgrade the capacity of existing nuclear power plants. The development of tools to detect and measure radioactivity is another activity of this business group.
  • The Back End business group offers solutions for managing the end of the nuclear fuel cycle. Its activities include recycling spent fuel as well as the cleanup and dismantling of nuclear facilities to make profitable use of their sites. It also offers transportation solutions for each stage of the cycle.
  • The Renewable Energies business group is pursuing activities in four areas – wind, solar, bioenergies and hydrogen – to respond to its customers’ diverse needs in developing a new energy mix. This business group’s steady stream of innovations and selected acquisitions reflect its objective of becoming a major player in these fields.
  • The Engineering & Projects Department works for all of AREVA’s nuclear business groups to enhance engineering synergies across the full range of activities to better meet our customers’ expectations.

OVERVIEW OF THE MINING BUSINESS GROUP

• The Mining business group generated 12% of AREVA’s consolidated revenue in 2010.

• AREVA, which already has over 20 years of uranium reserves, has decided to strengthen its position as a leading supplier.

• AREVA continues to develop and operate a diversified portfolio of mines on five continents.

AREVA in Niger

  • Niger’s uranium resources are exploited by two companies incorporated in Niger: SOMAÏR and COMINAK. AREVA is a shareholder in these companies and the operator. They are mining deposits in the Arlit/Akokan region, where AREVA has a concession covering 140 sq. miles (360 sq. kilometers). Both SOMAÏR and COMINAK have ISO 14001 and OHSAS certification. Exploration is continuing in areas where permits have been granted.
  • In 2010, the two mining companies’ share of consolidated production at the two sites was 3,176 tons of uranium. This represents 27% of AREVA's annual production.
  • AREVA continues to reinforce its position as the leading mining company in Niger. In 2009, the group and the Niger government signed a mining agreement and the articles of association of the new company that will operate the Imouraren mine in the future.
  • AREVA is making preparations to mine this immense deposit. The Imouraren deposit is the largest uranium reserve in Africa and the second largest in the world, after Olympic Dam in Australia. This project is a huge undertaking for both the group and Niger.
  • In 2011, AREVA is employing more than 2,500 people on these sites in Niger. The group provides not only jobs, but also economic, sanitary, social and educational support to local communities.
AREVA contacts in Niger
Head office of Somaïr, Niamey, Niger.
Mining activities
Somaïr open pit mine. Arlit. Niger

With operational excellence as their aim, the multicultural teams of the Mining Business Group locate new resources and exploit deposits all over the world, extract uranium from the ore, and reclaim and monitor the sites when mining has ended. This broad spectrum of know-how makes the mining activity a pillar of AREVA’s integrated business model.

Careers
Analytical laboratory. Somaïr ore processing plant. Niger

AREVA’s human resources policy in Niger, where it is the largest private-sector employer, is actively concerned with its employees’ welfare. The group encourages the occupational development of employees, protects their health and safety, and provides them with good working conditions.

Mining facilities in Niger

Niger's uranium potential is currently being developed by 2 Nigerien companies: SOMAÏR AND COMINAK. AREVA is the majority shareholder of both companies.