During the second summit of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in London, on March 17, 2005, AREVA's corporate business ethics advisor declared that the company is ready to offer to implement the initiative to the government of Niger, which had adhered to the initiative that same day. This stance is the logical continuation of the official statement of adherence to EITI (pdf, 18Ko) made by AREVA's corporate business ethics advisor at EITI's founding summit in London on June 17, 2003.
Following pilot countries Nigeria, Azerbaijan and Ghana, it was Niger's turn on March 17, 2005 to announce its adherence to the initiative (pdf,17Ko) via the voice of its prime minister. EITI ensures the transparency of payments made by extractive industries (oil, gas and mining) to the states that have granted them permits to operate on their territory.
The uranium mines operated by AREVA NC in Niger are the country's primary source of exports. Application of the EITI to the two mining companies and AREVA subsidiaries SOMAIR and COMINAK has symbolic meaning. Following its declaration, which has already put it into practice by filling in the standard financial statements (Guidelines), AREVA can finally offer its contribution.
Implementation has encountered delays since then, as the administrative organization of the initiative by the Nigerian authorities is requiring more time than anticipated. Meanwhile, AREVA is preparing for the possibility of an initiative in Kazakhstan.