GoviEx Uranium Inc. | Madaouela Project in Niger

Madaouela, Niger

GoviEx works closely with all stakeholders during the exploration and development of its projects, and maintains a commitment to local employment and the use of local suppliers. The company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs are developed with input from host governments and people from local communities.

The focus of GoviEx’s CSR programmes are Education, Health, Water and Sustainability. With that goal in mind, we have very active CSR programmes in Mali, Niger and Zambia.

Niger – Madaouela

Since starting activities in Niger in 2007, the company has endeavoured to maintain close relationships with its local stakeholders through constant communication and listening to their needs, allowing both the government and GoviEx to remain up-to-date and involved in their respective processes

To that end the company recently helped with donation for the COVID 19 fund, and to assists with recent flooding in Niamey (August 2020)

Historically, uranium has accounted for 60% to 70% of Niger’s annual exports, and uranium has been a major contributor to the national economy since 1971. Unfortunately, the existing mines that produce approximately 8% of global supply each year are expected to close in the next five to ten years. The timing of GoviEx’s Madaouela Uranium Project development within this period is expected to enable the extended employment of skilled staff in a region with low employment opportunities, and provide a continuation of uranium exports and tax generation for Niger.

In 2009, GoviEx instituted a near-100% Nigerien employment policy, enforcing the company’s commitment to prioritizing local labour. This policy extended to the choice of contractors, with Esafor, a Nigerien drilling contractor, completing the majority of the 650,000 metres of drilling, and Legeni, a Nigerien environmental consultancy, completing the baseline work required for the environmental certificate.

GoviEx has provided over US$1 million in famine relief in Niger, to which the Canadian government added a further US$6 million. GoviEx also has initiated projects related to women’s empowerment through sustainable, revenue-generating activities. In addition, the company has made investments to improve rural educational facilities, drilled water wells that serve over 2,000 Nigeriens in the region, and worked with partners to develop social sports academies.

2017

In September 2017, GoviEx provided food and supplies for the Nigerien village of Gabagoura, which was badly damaged by floods.

2018

GoviEx Receives the SANID 2018 Award for Sustainability

GoviEx Uranium received the Salon National sur L'information et le Développement 2018 (SANID) award in recognition of its sustainability initiatives that deliver economic benefits to the host communities living near our Madaouela Uranium Project in Niger. The SANID award, sponsored by the Niger government, acknowledge companies in the natural resource sectors that demonstrate outstanding achievements in community best practices and social programs that promote sustainable development.

2019-2020

Gougaram Village

The company has focussed its energy on the commune of Gougaram, which lies within the Madaouela Project area. The company has given quarterly rice donations to the local school, and carried out repairs to some classrooms damaged by severe sandstorm. Dormitory for the students and teachers were also repaired.

COVID-19 Response

In response to a request for assistance from the government of Niger, GoviEx contributed US$5,000 to battle the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. The donation was added to a fund set up by the Niger government and will be used in response to the pandemic.

FLOOD RESPONSE

Donation to the City of Niamey of blankets, buckets and rice to assist victims of recent flooding. The company has focussed its energy on the commune of Gougaram, starting with quarterly rice donations to the local school, followed by repairs to some classrooms.

2020-2023

During this period, GoviEx undertook several initiatives to support the communities surrounding the Madaouela site in Niger.

The company installed a windmill in Ebarghas, providing essential drinking water to the community and their animals in proximity to the Madaouela project. Additionally, GoviEx oversaw the installation of two full solar systems which currently power the water wells in both Ebarghas and Madaouela. To ensure the sustainability of this project, GoviEx also conducted water tests each trimester and provided security personnel for the solar systems.

GoviEx has actively participated in community development. The company supported off-season cultivation and provided quarterly rice donations to the community. Significant efforts were made in education and health infrastructure: classrooms in Mayat, Echignaw, Ezazaou, Eroug, and Takriza were rehabilitated; dormitories in Mayat and Eroug were also refurbished; and a new laboratory was constructed at the Gougaram health center.

GoviEx's commitment to cultural preservation and community engagement was evident in its sponsorship of local events such as the Cure Salee, Air Festival, and the Emigdaz ceremony in Gouragaram (Ebarghas).

Finally, in June 2023 GoviEx sponsored Barefoot College International’s Solar Project in Niger, which is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to empowering rural women without formal education through comprehensive training in solar technology installation and maintenance, livelihoods development and a holistic women’s empowerment curriculum. As part of the Solar Project, Goviex is funding the installation of solar home lighting systems in forty rural households near the Madaouela site.

Corporate Social Responsibility