The European Investment Bank (EIB) has under appraisal Mauritania’s rail modernisation project implemented by Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM), an independent state-owned iron ore mining company. USD 512 million is the total value of the project with a proposed EIB loan of USD 125 million, backed under the Global Europe NDICI and EFSD+ guarantees.
The project concerns the capacity expansion of the railway line owned and operated by SNIM, linking the iron ore mining area of Zouerate with the port of Nouadhibou. The project also involves the extension of the line by 42 km to new mining sites of El Aouj and Atomai to meet the transport needs generated by these two mining sites. It will include the construction of additional sidings and the construction of additional tracks, including station tracks, connections to maintenance sites and production sites.
The investment programme of SNIM also includes the acquisition of rolling stock including locomotives and wagons and equipment for infrastructure maintenance, as well as the extension of maintenance facilities and the acquisition of related equipment.
SNIM owns and operates its own railway line of over 700 km line, mainly used for the transport of iron ore.
The Mauritania’s rail modernisation project aims to double the capacity along the line and in addition, the project includes the installation of a photovoltaic solar power plant. The project also includes the installation of a 12 MW photovoltaic solar power plant.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is providing SNIM with technical assistance for climate change risk assessment (CCRA), to help it prepare for the impact of climate change.
The project is expected to generate additional revenue, mainly in dividends for the Mauritanian government. Indeed, this logistical expansion capacity project will increase the volume of transported iron ore by SNIM through the additional iron ore produced by SNIM, directly and indirectly via partnerships with other companies.
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