Foraco's camp in Niger attacked by terrorists

By Valentina Ruiz Leotaud / November 22, 2018 / www.mining.com / Article Link

Mineral driller Foraco International (TSX: FAR) today reported a terrorist attack at its camp in Niger's Toumour Village.

In a media statement, the company said that at around 2 a.m. Thursday, November 22, a group of terrorists attacked the small building where a Foraco team was sleeping and killed eight people. Five other employees were wounded and two are in serious condition. An unnamed source told Reuters that the assailants were believed to belong to Nigerian jihadist group Boko Haram

France24 reported that the victims, all Nigerien, were shot dead at a site in Toumour, a village near the border with Nigeria where they had been drilling two deep-water wells. A local official in Diffa reportedly blamed the attack on Boko Haram militants and a local resident said the gunmen had "looted many shops" and carried off food "in a Foraco vehicle".

The incident took place despite the fact that the facility where the workers were staying was chosen by the French firm based on recommendations made by the West African country's military, which was also providing security services.

An unnamed source told Reuters that the assailants were believed to belong to Nigerian jihadist group Boko Haram, which has been fighting to establish a presence in the area since 2009.

Following the attack, injured personnel is being evacuated by the company and local authorities to the nearest hospital. They are also setting up support for the families of the victims.

Foraco, the world's third largest mineral driller, is working in Niger by request of the Ministry of Water. The company is drilling a pair of deepwater wells for a refugee camp.

Recent News

Global trade tensions ease and inflation continues to decline

May 19, 2025 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Gold stocks down as metal slumps and equities rise

May 19, 2025 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Big Gold has another strong quarter, but some signs growth cooling

May 12, 2025 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Gold stocks nearly regain highs on rising metal price

May 12, 2025 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Gold stocks down as risk on move continues

May 05, 2025 / www.canadianminingreport.com
See all >
Share to Youtube Share to Facebook Facebook Share to Linkedin Share to Twitter Twitter Share to Tiktok