New developments at the DASA Project

New developments at the DASA Project

In April 2025, the DASA Project reached new milestones in its implementation. After many months of earthworks and excavation, followed by the erection of steel framework, concrete pouring has begun at the sulfuric acid plant construction sites in the smelter, furnace, and sulfur filter areas, as well as at the plant’s process control laboratory construction site.

Similarly, work on the camp extension is progressing rapidly, with more than 75% of the 250-bed “Camp Lida” construction site now complete, following the commissioning of 60 senior rooms in March 2025.

May Day 2025 celebrations in AGADEZ

May Day 2025 celebrations in AGADEZ

SOMIDA workers took part in the May1st 2025 Labor Day parade organized by professional organizations in Agadez under the authority of the regional governor, Brigadier General Ibrah Boulama.

This colorful parade was an opportunity for our representatives to show their pride in belonging to SOMIDA and participating in the construction of this great Industrial Site which is already the pride of the region.

Well done to our representatives. 

SOMIDA honored at JAPRP 2025 in Tillabéry

SOMIDA honored at JAPRP 2025 in Tillabéry

SOMIDA at the 29th African Day for Occupational Risk Prevention (JAPRP 2025) in Tillabéry, Niger

From April 25 to 26, 2025, SOMIDA took part in the workshop organized by the CNN as part of the African Day of Occupational Risk Prevention (JAPRP 2025), under the central theme: ” Occupational risk prevention in the face of digital transformation and technological change: opportunities, challenges and adaptation strategies”, with an associated sub-theme entitled “Prevention and management of food poisoning in the workplace”.

Numerous senior officials from ministries, the CNSS, public and private companies, occupational health and safety (OHS) associations, occupational medicine and university and vocational school students took part in the meeting. Société Minière de DASA, invited to this important forum, was represented by four members of its Occupational Health and Safety Committee (CSST).

Our representatives showcased exceptionally well their expertise in 3 areas:

  • use of the Automatic Fire Suppression System (ANSUL)
  • remote-controlled machine operation
  • food poisoning prevention actions at the DASA site

The presentations on the main and secondary themes of the workshop were very well received. Participants praised SOMIDA’s new features in general, as well as best practices in workplace catering management and exemplary preventive actions.

Risk Analysis Workshop: Ensuring Safety in Plant Construction

Risk Analysis Workshop: Ensuring Safety in Plant Construction

Enhancing the safety and efficiency of plant construction

The Plant construction project is moving ahead apace. The earthworks currently underway will soon give way to civil engineering works, for which the company in charge is already deployed on the DASA site.

Following validation of the process layout, the Engineering Department has already delivered the bulk of the manufacturing drawings to the factories, and produced the functional assembly drawings.

These plans, which define the layout of equipment and components in the plant’s various workshops, are an important step in ensuring the safety of operations and the success of production programs. For these reasons, the Project decided to hold a review workshop to examine, criticize and amend all the functional diagrams and their dimensioning.

This exercise, which took place over 4 days – from January 13 to 16 – at SOMIDA headquarters, brought together :

  • Project management,
  • Project managers, responsible for purchasing & logistics, planning, construction management, quality control and costs;
  • Engineering office
  • Operational staff from the DASA site
  • Experienced Niger experts from outside the project
  • Executives from the Ministry of Mines.

The 35 participants unabashedly reviewed the plant’s functional diagrams and suggested corrections to anything they felt posed a risk to the safety and performance of future operations.

DASA mine celebrates 500 accident-free days – a testament to safety and teamwork

DASA mine celebrates 500 accident-free days – a testament to safety and teamwork

A milestone of safety and dedication at the DASA mine

In a remarkable demonstration of commitment to safety and teamwork, the DASA mine, operated by SOMIDA and supervised by Global Atomic Corporation, reached a milestone: 500 days without a lost-time accident (LTI). This achievement underlines the mine’s unwavering commitment to creating a safe working environment and its success in implementing effective safety measures.

On January 2, 2024, a special meeting was held to celebrate this milestone, bringing together night and day crews. The event provided an opportunity to review the mine’s impressive safety performance in 2023, with six sessions focused on critical areas such as vehicle interactions, electrical safety, hygiene, waste management, working at height and hand injuries. These sessions highlighted the mine’s proactive approach to identifying potential risks and implementing preventive strategies.

The highlight of the event was a team dinner, a gesture of appreciation for the team’s hard work and commitment to safety. John Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of DASA, addressed the team, underlining the importance of this achievement. He emphasized that the steady increase in the number of accident-free days at work is not just a figure, but a testament to the fact that every team member can return home safely to family and friends.

Adding to the significance of the event, John Wheeler delivered congratulatory messages from SOMIDA CEO Moussa Souley and Stephen G. Roman, President and CEO of Global Atomic Corporation. Their words echoed the sense of pride and underlined the collective effort of everyone at the mine to achieve this important safety milestone.

The record of 500 accident-free days at the DASA mine is not just a figure, but a symbol of SOMIDA’s safety-first culture. It reflects the dedication of every team member and the effective management and leadership that drive the mine to higher standards of safety and operational excellence. As the mine progresses, this milestone will serve as a reminder to all of the importance of safety and the value of teamwork in achieving such significant accomplishments.