African Mining January 2023 | Page 17

COUNTRY IN FOCUS • bidding process in accordance with the Hydrocarbon Code , the current practice is to deviate from this rule and opt for direct negotiation . Due to the general nature of the Petroleum Code , most of the specific provisions governing petroleum exploration and production are included in production sharing contracts ( PSCs ). ¹⁰

Infrastructure and economic growth developed in parallel “ The country ’ s infrastructure is developing alongside its investment growth ,’’ says HE Jarr Ould Inalla . Mauritania has a network of good quality asphalt tarred roads connecting all cities , while a single 704-kilometre railway line links the iron mining centre of Zouérat with the port of Nouadhibou , one of 5 ports in the country . “ Nouakchott – Oumtounsy International Airport serves the capital city of Mauritania , and our hospitality industry and telecommunications are developing rapidly – we have services that meet international standards using optical fibre and submarine cables – while hospitals and other support infrastructure are constantly being upscaled to meet the demand of the moment ,” he adds .

Power , water and security HE Jarr Ould Inalla points out that water challenges in Mauritania are being managed thanks to the two mega government projects : Aftout Essahili and Aftout Echargui . The former is advanced and already in operation – water from the Senegal River is treated to be used for mining and other economic activities . The latter is situated in the far east of the country , where financing has already been secured to drill for water .

He continues , “ Power has been a challenge , but the government is working hard to meet the demand having already improved the existing hydroelectric and thermal national grids substantially . Recently a decision was also taken to open the production of electricity to the private sector to start producing and selling electricity . Mauritania has immense potential in solar and in wind generating capacity . In addition to this , government is calling for investors to invest in green hydrogen production – we believe Mauritania will be one of the biggest producers of this kind of energy in the future . Added to this , we will start producing gas by 2023 and this too will support power generation in the country .

“ Mauritania is at the mercy of the volatility of global pricing of mining products . This poses additional challenges related to the shortage of national capital and also hinders the attainment of reaching maximum exploration and production capacity in the mining sector . The government is therefore driving diversification in the economy and transformation within direct foreign investment in the sector , enlargement of our ports and exploitation capacity , and diversification in energy sources .”

Mauritanian Investment Promotion Agency

the beginning of all extremist ills . An inclusive society , where communities have the support of the state and can benefit from the exploitation of resources , has been the answer in Mauritania . To this end the government has legalised artisanal mining – it is supervised , and miners require licences to operate .”

In conclusion Jarr Ould Inalla says , “ To the investors : Do not miss the opportunity , as this is the right time to invest in the Mauritanian mining industry . In fact , the country is today more than ever before , secure , welcoming , and ready for investment in the mining sector .” •

References :

1 . Historical Dictionary of Mauritania , Anthony G . Pazzanita . Mauritania was also known as Bilad Chinguitt . 2 . Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for South Africa . 3 . 25 million ounces of gold potential lie in wait for investors . 4 . Mauritanian Ministry of Petroleum , Energy and Mining . 5 . The World Bank ' s fifth Economic Update on Mauritania : https :// www . worldbank . org / en / search ? q = Mauritania ; Nouakchott , June 21 , 2022 6 . https :// tradingeconomics . com / mauritania / mining-production 7 . https :// www . bp . com / en / global / corporate / news-and-insights / pressreleases / bp-announces-final-investment-decision-for-phase-1-of-thegreater-tortue-ahmeyim-lng-development . html

8 . SNIM Open Pit Iron Ore Mining - Mauritania - Mining Technology ( miningtechnology . com ): Miferma ( Mines de Fer de Mauritanie ) was created in 1952 to exploit iron ore deposits in the Kedia d ’ Idjil area of northern Mauritania . A mining centre was constructed at Zouerate together with port facilities at Nouadhibou on the Atlantic coast , both with power plants and linked by a 700km railway . Nationalisation of the Miferma consortium in 1974-1975 created SNIM ( Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière ). The Mauritanian government owns 78 % of SNIM and Arab financial and mining organisations own the balance . Production rapidly grew to 11-12 million tonnes per annum ( Mtpa ), a level that has generally been maintained by serial upgrading of the facilities .

9 . Mauritania Mining Cadastre Portal - Supported by Spatial Dimension -

Developers of FlexiCadastre ( landfolio . com ) 10 . https :// eiti . org / countries / mauritania

Foum Legleitta Dam near the city of Kaedi , south of Mauritania .

HE Jarr Ould Inalla is emphatic , “ When it comes to security , Mauritania is one of the safest countries in the region – noting that from 2012 to date , not a single safety / security incident has been recorded . We are in full control of our borders in spite of what is happening in some neighbouring countries . Currently , Mauritania enjoys enviable political stability and a strong united interior front , allowing the country to stand as a paradise of safety in the region , thanks to our strong political leadership , and its successful socio-economic policies and inclusive political reforms aimed at strengthening society .”

The government follows a double pronged strategy to ensure stability – using both the army and education . “ One needs to eradicate illiteracy and one can then fight poverty , which is

IPAM

100MW solar power production in Boulenouar near Nouadhibou , northwest of Mauritania .