Mauritania’s copper mining sector plays a notable role within the country’s significant mining industry, historically anchored by the output from the Guelb Moghrein mine. While facing the challenge of maturing reserves at its primary operation, the nation possesses considerable untapped geological potential, attracting exploration efforts aimed at defining the next generation of copper resources, potentially alongside valuable associated metals like cobalt and nickel
Production Landscape and Key Operation:
Copper production in Mauritania has seen fluctuations, reaching a high of 29,600 metric tons in 2019 before declining to 13,300 metric tons in 2022. The sector’s output is currently dominated by the Guelb Moghrein Mine, operated by Mauritanian Copper Mines (MCM), a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals. In 2023, Guelb Moghrein produced 13,000 metric tons of copper, alongside 26,363 ounces of gold, highlighting its nature as a polymetallic deposit. Production levels reflect operational factors, including the planned mining sequence, with the mine’s main Occidental pit scheduled for completion in 2025
Reserves and Geological Potential:
Mauritania holds substantial copper potential, with nationally confirmed reserves estimated at 28 million tonnes. The Guelb Moghrein deposit itself contains 10.8 million tonnes of probable and proven reserves with grades averaging 0.65% copper and 0.63 g/t gold.
Geologically, the country’s most promising copper occurrences are found within the Proterozoic Mauritanide Belt in the central-west region and areas like Akjoujt South. Exploration is actively targeting these zones, often seeking not just copper but also associated strategic metals like cobalt and nickel.
Investment Projects: Current Operations and Future Prospects:
Guelb Moghrein Mine (First Quantum Minerals / MCM):
Ownership & History: Fully owned by First Quantum Minerals since 2010, this mine is the bedrock of Mauritania’s current copper output.
Infrastructure: Features established open-pit operations and processing facilities, including a magnetite plant added in 2013 to capture additional value. The operation is supported by extensive exploration concessions covering 5,581 km².
Economic Contribution: Guelb Moghrein is a significant contributor to the local and national economy. In 2021, it injected approximately $46.02 million into Mauritania’s economy and employed around 1,200 workers, the majority being Mauritanian nationals.
Akjoujt South Project (OreCorp Ltd.):
Focus: Representing the future potential of the sector, Australia-based OreCorp Ltd. holds three exploration licenses covering 596 km² in the Akjoujt South area.
Target: The project targets prospective copper, cobalt, and nickel mineralization within the Mauritanide Belt, leveraging geological similarities and proximity to the known mineralization at Guelb Moghrein.
Economic Significance:
The broader mining sector is crucial to Mauritania’s economy, contributing around 24% of GDP in recent years. While iron ore (SNIM) is the dominant force, copper and gold operations like Guelb Moghrein provide vital economic activity, export revenues, and employment.
Challenges and Outlook: The Exploration Imperative:
The primary challenge facing Mauritania’s copper sector is the finite lifespan of the current Guelb Moghrein reserves, particularly with the main pit nearing depletion. This underscores the critical importance of successful exploration to ensure the sector’s continuity and growth.
The outlook, however, is bolstered by:
Untapped Potential: Significant areas within the Mauritanide Belt remain under-explored, offering potential for new discoveries.
Strategic Exploration: Projects like Akjoujt South actively seeking copper and other battery metals (cobalt, nickel) align with global trends.
Favorable Market Conditions: Rising global demand for copper, driven significantly by the green energy transition (renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles), enhances the attractiveness of Mauritanian exploration and potential development projects.
Conclusion:
While currently reliant on the established Guelb Moghrein operation, Mauritania’s copper story is entering a new chapter focused on exploration and discovery. The nation’s confirmed reserves and prospective geology, particularly within the Mauritanide Belt, combined with strong global demand for copper and associated metals, present compelling opportunities for investment in exploration and the potential development of new mining projects. Success in these ventures will be key to sustaining and growing the copper sector’s contribution to Mauritania’s economic future.
Key Data Snapshot
Aspect Detail 2023 Copper Production 13,000 metric tons (from Guelb Moghrein) National Reserves 28 million tonnes (confirmed) Guelb Moghrein Reserves 10.8 Mt Probable & Proven @ 0.65% Cu, 0.63 g/t Au Major Operating Mine Guelb Moghrein (First Quantum Minerals / MCM) Key Exploration Project Akjoujt South (OreCorp Ltd.) – Targeting Cu, Co, Ni Key Operator First Quantum Minerals (via MCM) Key Explorer OreCorp Ltd.
