Nigerien President General Abdourahamane Tiani has enacted a temporary ban on the export of precious stones, semi-precious stones, and meteorites across the country.
This decisive move seeks to safeguard Niger’s mineral wealth, promote local processing industries, and improve traceability in resource management.
The suspension follows a high-profile investigation launched in July concerning the controversial sale of a Martian meteorite discovered in the Agadez region.
This meteorite, described by the government as “the largest Martian rock ever found on Earth,” was auctioned in the United States for nearly $5 million.
The Council of Ministers, chaired by General Tiani, initiated the probe amid suspicions of illicit trafficking and the improper handling of this significant scientific and cultural artifact.
The investigation mandates cooperation between several key ministries, including Mines, Public Security, Justice, and Higher Education, to clarify the circumstances surrounding the meteorite’s sale and ensure strict adherence to national and international regulations protecting natural resources and cultural heritage.
Under the new decree issued by the General Secretariat of the Government, any export of precious or semi-precious stones, as well as meteorites, now requires an exemption order personally authorised by the Minister responsible for Mines. These permits will be granted selectively and only when deemed in the national interest.
Enforcement will be overseen by Niger’s Defence and Security Forces, empowered to seize any unauthorized exports. Those found violating these rules will face penalties as stipulated under current mining legislation.
This measure reflects Niger’s broader ambition to exercise greater control over its abundant natural resources, which have often been exploited with limited oversight and minimal economic benefit to the country.
The temporary export suspension marks a critical step toward preserving Niger’s geological treasures while fostering sustainable development and compliance with international standards.
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