TOP STORIES

1. Niger quadruples state stake in Madaouela uranium project to 40%

Niger has signed a new mining convention with Madaouela Mining Company (MAMICO), a subsidiary of Australia's Atomic Eagle, raising the state's stake in the Madaouela uranium project from 10% to 40%. The deal was signed in Niamey on 23 September by Mining Minister Abarchi Ousmane and MAMICO/GoviEx director-general Hoskins Philip Ross; Atomic Eagle retains 60% and operational control.

The agreement includes an initial $10 million royalty payment to the state, commitments to create roughly 1,000 jobs and priority access for local suppliers. It follows Niger's 2024 reclamation of the permit from Canada's GoviEx and is part of a broader push by Niamey to capture more mining revenue. No timeline for resuming production has been given.

Sources: ANP | World Nuclear News

2. US withholds visa for Sudan's Burhan ahead of UN speech

The United States has not issued a visa for Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to address the UN General Assembly, prompting concern from Secretary-General António Guterres, who said he was "deeply concerned." A Sudanese diplomat and a Western analyst, speaking anonymously, said the visa appears contingent on Burhan agreeing to a 90-day ceasefire proposed by US envoy Massad Boulos, though neither government has confirmed this. Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salem is expected to address the assembly instead.

The Africa Report, citing unnamed sources, said Saudi Arabia has threatened to withdraw from the "Quad" mediation group with the US, UAE and Egypt over the episode — a claim not corroborated by Riyadh. Burhan has separately called, in a Foreign Policy op-ed, for a permanent ceasefire and international action against Rapid Support Forces supply lines. The State Department said this week that neither the army nor the RSF holds legitimate authority to govern Sudan.

Sources: Al Jazeera | The Africa Report | Reuters via The National

3. Three strikes set to hit Mali's Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine

Three separate strike notices remain on track at Mali's Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex, according to Journal du Mali and Bamada.net. Employees of Somilo SA and Gounkoto SA, which operate the neighbouring mines, plan four-day strikes from 28 September over unresolved grievances on overtime, expense reimbursement and professional agreements dating to February. Catering and support staff from Food & Events Africa plan a five-day action until 2 October, while mining-administration and regulator unions plan a separate 72-hour strike from 29 September over salaries and bonuses. Barrick Mining and Mali's Ministry of Mining did not immediately comment.

The overlapping actions would hit one of Mali's largest gold producers, which produced roughly 190,000 ounces in the first half of 2026, about 152,000 of them attributable to Barrick. The complex returned to full Barrick control in December 2025 after a 2025 standoff over control was resolved through a November agreement with the state. Whether the strikes proceed as planned, or affect output, remains unclear.

Sources: Journal du Mali | MyJoyOnline/Reuters

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