Niger has confirmed one of the world's biggest uranium mines has returned to public control after revoking the operating licence of French nuclear fuel producer Orano.

Last week, Orano said it had been excluded from the Imouraren mine in northern Niger, in a move that has highlighted tensions between France and Niger’s military rulers.

The junta-led government had not reacted before releasing a statement on Monday saying the Imouraren mine had returned “to the public domain of the state”.