Case Details

Orano Mining SAS v. Republic of Niger (ICSID Case No. ARB/25/8)

Subject of Dispute:

Mining concession
Economic Sector:

Oil, Gas & Mining
Instrument(s) Invoked:

Contract
Applicable Rules:

ICSID Convention - Arbitration Rules

(a) Original Proceeding

Claimant(s)/Nationality(ies):

Orano Mining SAS (French)
Respondent(s):

Republic of Niger (Nigerien)
Date Registered:

March 5, 2025
Date of Constitution of Tribunal:

July 16, 2025

Composition of Tribunal

President:

Maxi SCHERER (German) - Appointed by Co-Arbitrators
Arbitrators:

Fernando MANTILLA-SERRANO (Colombian) - Appointed by the Claimant(s)
Sibidi Emmanuel DARANKOUM (Burkinabe, Canadian) - Appointed by the Respondent(s)

Party Representatives

Claimant(s):

Clay Arbitration, Paris, France
Respondent(s):

Cabinet Saerens, Brussels, Belgium
Philippe & Partners, Brussels, Belgium
Cabinet d’Avocats ABBA, Pessac, France
Ministère des Mines, Niamey, Niger
Agence Judiciaire de l’État, Niamey, Niger
Language(s) of Proceeding:

French
Status of Proceeding:

Pending
Latest Development:

January 6, 2026 -
The proceeding is resumed following payment of the required advance.

No References Available.

(a) Original Proceeding

Date	Development
March 5, 2025	The Secretary-General registers a request for the institution of arbitration proceedings.
April 29, 2025	Following appointment by the Claimant, Fernando Mantilla-Serrano (Colombian) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
April 30, 2025	Following appointment by the Respondent, Sibidi Emmanuel Darankoum (Burkinabe/Canadian) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
June 26, 2025	The Claimant files a request for provisional measures.
July 11, 2025	The Respondent files observations on the Claimant’s request for provisional measures.
July 16, 2025	Following appointment by her co-arbitrators pursuant to the parties’ agreement, Maxi Scherer (German) accepts her appointment as presiding arbitrator.
July 16, 2025	The Tribunal is constituted in accordance with Article 37(2)(a) of the ICSID Convention. Its members are: Maxi Scherer (German), President, appointed by her co-arbitrators pursuant to the parties’ agreement; Fernando Mantilla-Serrano (Colombian), appointed by the Claimant; and Sibidi Emmanuel Darankoum (Burkinabe/Canadian), appointed by the Respondent.
July 18, 2025	The Claimant files a response to the Respondent’s observations of July 11, 2025.
August 4, 2025	The Respondent files a response to the Claimant’s observations of July 18, 2025.
August 6, 2025	The Respondent files a proposal for disqualification of arbitrator Fernando Mantilla-Serrano. The proceeding is suspended in accordance with ICSID Arbitration Rule 9(6).
August 8, 2025	The Claimant files observations on the proposal for disqualification.
August 15, 2025	The Respondent files further observations on the proposal for disqualification.
August 19, 2025	The Claimant files further observations on the proposal for disqualification.
August 26, 2025	The proposal for disqualification of arbitrator Fernando Mantilla-Serrano is declined by the co-arbitrators. The proceeding is resumed pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 9(6).
September 5, 2025	The Tribunal holds a first session by video conference.
September 10, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 1 concerning procedural matters.
September 22, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 2 concerning provisional measures.
October 1, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 3 concerning procedural matters.
October 13, 2025	The Claimant files a request for provisional measures.
November 4, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 4 concerning provisional measures.
December 23, 2025	The proceeding is suspended for non-payment of the required advances pursuant to ICSID Administrative and Financial Regulation 16(2)(b).
January 6, 2026	The proceeding is resumed following payment of the required advance.