The Aïr Mountains are the backbone of Niger and the native land of the Kel-Aïr, a nomadic Tuareg tribe that once dominated all of the Western Sahara. In 1965, the discovery of uranium deposits in this arid zone and the promise of work attracted populations from all over West Africa. The Arlit and Akouta mines each employ about 1,900 people. Since then, a little more than 3,000 T (2,680 t) of uranium have been extracted each year, or about 8 percent of world production. Depending on the year, Niger ranks fourth or fifth among the eighteen countries that produce uranium, behind Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Financially, uranium exploitation represents a third of Niger’s exports, but a large proportion of its revenues were allocated to reimbursing its debt—until 2005, when the G8 decided to forgive Niger’s debt entirely. In January 2009, the French nuclear conglomerate Areva signed an agreement with Niger’s government to exploit the Imouraren deposit 50 mi (80 km) south of Arlit; it is the largest uranium mine in Africa, and second largest in the world. With an initial investment of more than $1.6 billion, working this deposit should lead to the creation of 1,400 direct jobs and an estimated annual production of 5,500 T (4,910 t) for more than thirty-five years. Production is supposed to begin in 2012 and should double current output, making Niger the second-leading uranium producer in the world. Yet despite the riches of its subsoil, this country of the Sahel is currently among the poorest in the world (174th out of 177 according to the UNDP human development index).
THE PHOTO
Taken in 1997, It is a silver photography. His original slide is stored by the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio in Paris.
THE PRINT
Original work by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The prints are made exclusively by the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio in Paris under the control of the artist himself.
Original Edition Signed and Numbered
Prints ordered without frames include a white border
- Format 1, 2 & 3 = 2 cm of white border around the image
- Format 4, 5 = 4 cm of white border around the image
- Format 6 = 5 cm of white border around the image
Digital print made by the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio. Canon IPF 9400 Ink-jet printer, pigmentary ink, printing on acid free 100% cotton fibre paper (Museo Silver Rag)
>> voir des tirages dans l’Atelier YAB
POUR LES ŒUVRES SIGNÉS ET NUMÉROTÉES
All our frames are made to measure and hand-made. The wood chosen for the frames is cut directly and assembled as a function of the work and painted as chosen.
For the signed prints, the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio offers three choices of frame : dark wood, wood painted white, wood painted black.
It is possible thereafter to choose a frame with glass or a frame with non-reflecting glass.
FOR THE LIMITED EDITIONS
The purchase of the work is uniquely by way of a print.
For any requests relating to framing please send an email to : atelier@yannarthusbertrandphoto.com
Delivery charges are at the expense of the purchaser. Delivery time depends on the country in which you live. Between 1 and 2 weeks should be allowed for a print and 3 to 4 weeks for a framed print.
Only for orders taken in July and August, between 3 to 4 weeks should be allowed for a print and 5 to 6 weeks for a framed print.
Once the order is validated, the print is made, signed and framed in accordance with your request.
Customs duties and VAT outside the European Union (+ Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) are at the expense of the purchaser. We invite you to get in touch with the Customs services in your country for more information on this subject.
The Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio works with specialised transporters, who are authorised to deliver works of art.
Once the print/frame has been dispatched, you will receive an e-mail from the Studio giving you the name of the transporter, the number of the parcel and the estimated date of delivery.
