for local people a primary demand. Environmental impact The impact on the local environment of the Arlit mining industry has been criticised by African and European Non-Governmental Organisations, and Areva NC has especially been accused of a disregard for health and environmental conditions around its operations. "Yellowcake" controversy In the build-up to the war in Iraq there was controversy over allegations in 2003 that Saddam Hussein was seeking to purchase uranium from Arlit. Expatriates and immigrants Arlit has developed a first-world infrastructure and airport to serve European workers and their families, and has become a transit point for illegal immigrants attempting to travel to Algeria, and from there, France. Military base The United States has operated a military base in Arlit since approximately 2015. Transportation Arlit is served by Arlit Airport. In popular culture In 2005 the Beninese filmmaker, Idrissou Mora-Kpaï, produced and directed the film Arlit, deuxième Paris (Arlit, a Second Paris) about the large expatriate community in the town. In 2007 Andersen Press published 'The Yellowcake Conspiracy', a novel by British children's author Stephen Davies. The novel is an espionage thriller set in and around the Arlit mine. Geology More than 25 uranium deposits occur with Mississippian to Cretaceous age sandstones. Key structural features are the Arlit Fault, and intrusions and ring dikes from 480 to 145 Ma in age. Climate Arlit has a hot desert climate (BWh) in Köppen-Geiger system. See also Economy of Niger Battle of Agadez and Arlit References External links . : Le nucléaire, l'uranium et l' "indépendance énergétique" française (B. Belbéoch). , on the official site of the Areva mining company. A forgotten community: The little town in Niger keeping the lights on in France googlemaps Communes of Niger Agadez Region Mining communities in Africa Mining in Niger Tuareg Populated places established in 1969