SNIM Drives Mauritania’s Mining Growth with Major Port and Production Upgrades
Mauritania’s state-owned mining giant, Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM), is stepping up its expansion, transforming the country’s iron ore sector and reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of the national economy.
A recently dredged 25-kilometre channel at Nouadhibou’s mineral port now allows vessels to carry up to 230,000 tonnes of iron ore, a dramatic increase from previous limits caused by shallow waters. The upgrade removes a critical bottleneck, enabling higher exports and signalling the company’s commitment to long-term growth.
The expansion at the port complements investments across the entire value chain. SNIM’s railway, stretching 700 kilometres from the heart of the Sahara Desert to the coast, has been modernised with new locomotives capable of hauling heavier loads more reliably.
This has allowed the company to steadily raise annual production from 10 million tonnes in the 1980s to a medium-term target of 45 million tonnes, while improving ore quality to 66 percent iron content before export.
SNIM’s transformation is backed by decades of investment from shareholders and partners, including the African Development Bank Group, which has mobilised $500 million since 1978 to support infrastructure, equipment, and technological upgrades.
Energy efficiency and sustainability are also central to SNIM’s strategy. The company has installed 19 megawatts of solar and wind capacity, with a wind farm at Nouadhibou supplying nearly 30 percent of plant electricity needs, reducing annual CO₂ emissions by approximately 12,000 tonnes.
With a workforce of nearly 7,000 employees, SNIM contributes around 9 percent of Mauritania’s GDP. Staff across the mines, railways, and ports share a sense of purpose: the company’s growth underpins national development, providing jobs, infrastructure, and foreign exchange.
As ships laden with iron ore leave Nouadhibou, the cargo represents more than minerals; it reflects decades of strategic investment, operational reform, and a vision to position Mauritania as a competitive player in the global mining market.
