Mining - Mauritania Portal

Mauritania's Mineral Wealth

Powering Progress & Green Ambitions

Mauritania's economy is intrinsically linked to its vast mineral resources. The mining sector is the cornerstone of national development, driving exports, government revenue, and employment. Beyond established giants like iron ore and gold, the country holds immense untapped potential in uranium, gypsum, phosphate, and critical minerals for the energy transition. Mauritania is strategically pivoting towards value addition, most notably through ambitious green hydrogen and green steel initiatives.

Economic Engine: Mining's Vital Contribution

24%

GDP Contribution (2023)

75.1%

Share of Total Exports (2023)

30%

State Revenues (2022)

12,000

Jobs Created (2023)

Mining Sector Economic Impact (Recent Years)

Indicator	2021	2022	2023
Contribution to GDP (%)	18%	24%	24%
Share of Total Exports (%) (minerals)	N/A	N/A	75.1%
Mineral Export Value	N/A	N/A	$4 billion
Direct Employment	N/A	N/A	12,000

Key Minerals & Major Operations

1. Iron Ore: The Bedrock (Led by SNIM)

Dominant Player: Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM), Africa's 2nd largest producer (state majority-owned).

Production: Record sales exceeding 14 million tonnes (Mt) in 2023.

Reserves: Massive resources: 300 Mt direct-shipping ore + 3,000 Mt requiring beneficiation + 500 Mt (Guelb El Aouj magnetite).

Strategy: Aggressive expansion (targeting 40-45 Mtpa by 2030) and value addition (pellets, DRI, green steel).

Green Steel Vision: MoU signed with ArcelorMittal (May 2022) to jointly evaluate pellet plant and DRI facility using green hydrogen.

Iron Ore Economic Impact (2023)

Learn more about Iron Ore Potential in Mauritania

2. Gold: Leading Export by Value

Tasiast Mine (Kinross Gold - Canada):

Record production: ~620,000 oz (gold equivalent) in 2023.

Portfolio: Largest and highest-margin mine in Kinross's global portfolio.

Expansion: Completed major "Tasiast 24k" expansion project.

Sustainability: Operational 34MW solar plant + 18MW battery storage (reducing emissions by ~18%).

Contribution: 37.3% (EUR 1.2 billion) of mineral export earnings in 2023.

Guelb Moghrein Mine (First Quantum Minerals - Canada):

Production: Significant gold by-product from copper operations (26,363 oz in 2023).

Status: Mature operation; CIL circuit commissioned (late 2023) to process tailings/extend life to ~2027.

Learn more about Gold Potential in Mauritania

3. Copper: Established Operation

Guelb Moghrein Mine (First Quantum Minerals):

Status: Sole major copper producer.

Output: Production fluctuates (~13,000 - 27,942 tonnes in 2023).

Product: Produces copper-gold concentrate.

Status: Primary sulphide ore nearing depletion; focus on stockpiles and oxide material via CIL.

Resource: (M+I Sulphide): 8.8 Mt @ 0.84% Cu, 0.66 g/t Au.

Learn more about Copper Potential in Mauritania

4. Gypsum: World-Class Untapped Potential

Resources: Enormous high-purity deposits near Nouakchott. Estimates vary: 1.7 Billion tonnes (varved) to 6 Billion tonnes (Ministry).

Current Production: Modest (~200,000 tonnes in 2017).

Exports: $1.36 million (2023 - mainly to Mali, Senegal).

Challenge: Logistics (transport, port handling at Nouakchott) limits scale. Significant opportunity exists.

Learn more about Gypsum Potential in Mauritania

5. Phosphate: Underdeveloped Potential

Resources: Estimated 136 - 250 million tonnes.

Status: Limited details on current large-scale operations or exports. Identified as an area for future development and diversification.

Learn more about Phosphate Potential in Mauritania

6. Uranium: Emerging Strategic Player

Flagship Project: Tiris (Aura Energy - Australia):

Resource: 91.3 Mlbs U3O8.

Target Production: 2.0 Mlbs U3O8 per annum (Start ~2026/2027).

Cost Structure: Low-Cost Operation: Shallow open pit, simple beneficiation. AISC: US$35.70/lb.

Status: Permits secured; offtake discussions ongoing.

National Potential: Ministry estimates ~100 million lbs U3O8. Perfect timing with rising global uranium demand/prices.

Learn more about Uranium Potential in Mauritania

7. Other Minerals with Potential:

Diverse Resources: Quartz (for solar panels - extraction begun), Rare Earth Elements (REEs), Lead, Zinc, Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), Chromium, Manganese, Vanadium, Diamonds, Silver.

Learn more about Other Minerals with Potential in Mauritania

Strategic Ambitions: Green Hydrogen & Green Steel

Mauritania aims to be a global leader in the green energy transition:

1. Green Hydrogen Hub:

Target: 12.5 million tonnes/year by 2035; capture 1.5% of global market by 2050.

Resources: Leveraging world-class solar (~457.9 GW potential) and wind (~47 GW potential).

Mega-Projects Under Development:

Megaton Moon: 35GW - GreenGo

Aman: 16-20GW - CWP

Project Nour: 10GW - TotalEnergies/Chariot

Infinity/Conjuncta JV: 10GW

Learn more about Green Hydrogen Potential in Mauritania

2. Green Steel Industry:

Target: Capture 1% of global green steel market by 2050.

Method: Utilize domestic high-grade iron ore and green hydrogen to produce Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and pellets.

Pivotal Partnership: SNIM & ArcelorMittal MoU (May 2022) evaluating a 2.5 million tonne/year green steel project.

US Collaboration: MoU with US Dept. of Energy (Dec 2023) to assess carbon-free steel capacity.

Learn more about Green Steel Potential in Mauritania

Enabling Infrastructure & Partnerships

Port of Nouadhibou Expansion: AfDB/EIB co-financed project deepening channel to handle 230,000 dwt vessels (critical for SNIM's growth).

Renewable Energy for Mining: Tasiast solar plant operational; AfDB "Desert-to-Power" & World Bank "DREAM 1" project supporting grid stability/mining sector renewables.

Green Hydrogen Infrastructure: Potential EU Global Gateway funding for Nouakchott-Nouadhibou road corridor & high-voltage power lines.

Key International Support: World Bank (DREAM 1), African Development Bank (AfDB), European Union (EU), US Department of Energy (DOE), Canada (FIPA discussions).