AREVA:Niger : Foundation Stone Laid on Imouraren Mining Site

IMOURAREN, Niger--(Business Wire)--
Regulatory News:

His Excellency Mamadou Tandja, President of Niger, today laid the foundation
stone of the Imouraren mining complex, in the presence of Alain Joyandet, French
Secretary of State for Cooperation and Francophony, and AREVA (Paris:CEI) CEO
Anne Lauvergeon. A ceremony to mark the occasion was also attended by several
hundred guests, including local people, and representatives from Nigerien
authorities, AREVA and the media.

Imouraren will be Africa`s biggest open-cast uranium mine, and the second
biggest worldwide. Its production, set to last more than 35 years and reach 5000
tons per year, will double Niger`s annual output and take it to number two in
the world rankings.

The site, which received an initial investment of over €1.2 billion, will create
nearly 1400 direct jobs.

Over and above the financial benefits of the mine, AREVA will continue and even
strengthen its social and economic development policy in Niger. The group is
involving local stakeholders and taking action in the fields of health,
education and training, transport and access to water and energy for the local
populations. It will be committing €6 million to this action every year for the
next five years.

Anne Lauvergeon: "The mining infrastructures AREVA is building at Imouraren will
strengthen the close partnership the group has had with Niger for the past forty
years."

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All over the world, AREVA provides its customers with solutions for carbon-free
power generation and electricity transmission. With its knowledge and expertise
in these fields, the group has a leading role to play in meeting the world`s
energy needs.

Ranked first in the global nuclear power industry, AREVA's unique integrated
offering covers every stage of the fuel cycle, reactor design and construction,
and related services. In addition, the group is expanding its operations in
renewable energies, including biomass, wind power and fuel cells. AREVA is also
a world leader in electricity transmission and distribution and offers its
customers a complete range of solutions for greater grid stability and energy
efficiency.

Sustainable development is a core component of the group`s industrial strategy.
Its 75,000 employees work every day to make AREVA a responsible industrial
player that is helping to supply ever cleaner, safer and more economical energy
to the greatest number of people.

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