1102 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1978-79 
 
States) planned to construct the facilities. 
The Djado project included ONAREM 
(25%), c0GEMA (25%), Urangesellschaft 
(25%) (Federal Republic of Germany), and 
Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Co. (PRNC) (25%) (Japan). 
 Cassiterite, an ore of tin, continued to be mined in the Air Mountains at
small placer works. Societe Miniere de Niger was the operating company, and
mines were located at Taroudji and Timia. Cassiterite reserves were estimated
to be 250,000 tons.26 
 The National Cement Plant (SNC) continued to be plagued by management and
financial problems, and the domestic product cost 40% more than imported
cement. The Government expected to continue to be the only buyer of domestically
produced cement until plant capacity could be doubled with the financial
and technical assistance of mainland China. 
 Extensive phosphate reserves in the Parc "W" Game Reserve were
being evaluated
by ONAREM with international assistance. Some blocks were reported to exceed
100 million metric tons of phosphate. Exploration 150 kilometers southeast
of Niamey indicated 500,000 tons of phosphate rock that could be readily
concentrated to 34% 
P205. Phosphate rock deposits were also present in the Tahoua Region, but
no reserve figures were available. 
 During 1978, Esso Exploration Inc. (United States) resumed active exploration
of its Niger permits. Indications of gas and oil occurred in the second well
drilled, which was located at Ti-n-Toumma in the Niger basin of Lake Chad.
Esso planned a third well 50 kilometers to the northwest of Yogou and a fourth
well near the Termet Massif in eastern Niger. 
 Other activity in petroleum concessions included the cancellation of the
exploration permit of Bishop Oil and Refining Co., Inc., (United States)
by the Supreme Military Council. The French company, Elf-Aquitaine SA Societe
Nouvelle (SNEA), was awarded three exploration licenses covering 345,528
square kilometers. 
 The first stage of a combination coal mine and electricity generating plant
being built by Société Nigerien du Charbon (SONICHAR)
was nearing
completion at yearend 1979. Plans were for the electricity to be used in
nearby uranium mines and Niger's northern city of Agadez. The cost was expected
to exceed $125 million. 
 
 
 
SENEGAL 
 The gross domestic product (GDP) of Senegal was estimated at $1,949 million
in 197827 and $2,357 million in 1979. The industry and mining sector accounted
for approximately 20% of Senegal's GDP. The country's deficit in trade was
reported to be $254 million for 1978 and $238 million for 1979. At yearend
1979, the debt service stood at 15% of the value of exports and at 19% of
the value of tax receipts. The rate of real growth of the economy averaged
2.7% during 1973-79. 
 Phosphate, attapulgite, and refined petroleum were the main minerals produced
in Senegal for export. During 1978, there was a decline in phosphate rock
prices on the world market. During 1979, the production and prices of phosphate
rock mined in Senegal remained steady. The value of exported aluminum and
calcium phosphate rock during 1979 was $65 million. Refined petroleum products
accounted for 40% of Senegal's export earnings during 1978-79. New mineral
projects included the building of a cement plant, a petrochemical fertilizer
plant, a phosphate tailings plant, and an oil refinery; studies of iron ore
deposits; pro 
duction of natural gas for electricity generation; and increased exploration
for petroleum. 
 The Faleme iron ore deposit, in eastern of Senegal, was the main mining
project being considered by the Government. Reserves included 290 million
tons of magnetic ores suitable for production of pellets and 120 million
tons of rich ore (60% to 65% Fe) suitable for the production of lumpy ores
and sinter feed. Total Faleme reserves were 410 million tons of magnetic
ore averaging 
40% to 50% iron.28 
 Bureau de Recherches Geologiques et Minieres (BRGM) (France) studied the
possibility of modernizing and reopening the marble works in the Kedougou
Region after a major deposit of high-grade marble was found. The deposit
contained proven reserves of 350,000 tons and was estimated to contain as
much as an additional 1 million tons.29 The company formed to exploit the
deposit consisted of the Government, Senegalese private interests, and BRGM.
The International Development Association (IDA) provided financing. 
 Compagnie Senegalaise des Phosphates