Niger announces an investigation into the sale of Martienne meteorite in Agadez in the United States
The Council of Ministers, gathered Friday in Niamey, suspects illegal traffic around the largest Martian meteorite ever found on earth, sold at auction for nearly $ 5 million.
(Apanews, Niamey, July 18, 2025) -The Council of Ministers of Niger ordered Friday the opening of investigations on the auction, in the United States, of a Martian meteorite discovered in the Agadez region, for an amount of nearly $ 5 million.
Chaired by General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of state, the weekly meeting of the Council spoke of “the largest Martian rock ever found on earth”, which would be 70 % greater than any other fragment of March recovered to date.
Suspecting illegal traffic, the authorities have educated the Minister of Mines, the Minister of Higher Education, the Minister of Public Security and the Minister of Justice “to diligen investigations and shed light on this case,” the official statement.
The government thus intends to clarify the circumstances of exporting this meteorite of major scientific and heritage interest, and verify whether the national and international rules for the protection of natural resources and cultural goods have been respected.
APAnews