
The government of Niger has officially banned the export of valued stones and meteorites to foreign countries, a move aimed at safeguarding the nation’s natural wealth. President Abdourahamane Tchiani, who authorized the directive, emphasized that the measure is intended to preserve, regulate, and monitor these resources.
The ban’s duration remains unclear, but it extends to high-value stones as well, according to Sputnik Africa. Authorities have indicated that exemptions might be granted under certain conditions if it serves the national interest.
The decision follows attention on a recent controversy involving a Mars meteorite weighing 24.5 kilograms, discovered in Niger’s Agadez region in 2023. This specimen reportedly sold for $5 million at a New York auction, raising questions over export legality and resource management. The government plans to open an investigation into the matter in December.