An international court of arbitration has temporarily blocked the sale of uranium stockpiles over a dispute between the Niger government and French mining group Orano. The court in Washington, DC, on Friday ordered Niamey to halt the sale of the uranium which Orano claims has been stolen from it. The court also ordered the release of Orano’s representative who has been held in custody since May. Orano claims that more than 1,000 tonnes of uranium concentrate worth more than 200 million dollars haven’t been exported. If Niamey violates Friday’s court ruling, Orano would be entitled to seize assets or royalties owed to Niger abroad.