Mauritania is a country in Northwest Africa. It is the eleventh largest sovereign state in Africa and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Western Sahara to the north and northwest, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the southwest.

 

Mauritania is a leading producer of mineral commodities such as iron ore (the world’s seventh-largest exporter), copper, gold, silver, and crude oil. Mineral exploration is ongoing in the North and North-West of the country, while oil and gas exploration is particularly active offshore.

 

 

Mauritania has rich deposits of iron ore, gold, copper as well as phosphates, zinc, gypsum, uranium and rare earth. Iron ore and gold are predominantly centered in Fderik, in the Sahara, while copper is found primarily at Akjoujt. Phosphates and petroleum are located along the country’s coast and the country’s east has potential for iron ore and petroleum.