Évaluation du cadre directif pour l’exploitation minière : Mauritanie

The assessment identifies a detailed but fragmented legal framework, noting strengths in geological data platforms and a diversified tax system, while highlighting critical gaps in environmental monitoring, the lack of a consolidated mining code, and the recent, largely informal emergence of artisanal mining.

• Mauritania's mining legislation is detailed but fragmented, lacking a consolidated mining code despite multiple revisions to the 2008 Code. This creates challenges for industry actors in interpreting applicable laws and administrative measures.
• The government utilizes a 'first-come, first-served' principle for awarding research permits to combat corruption, though the report suggests requiring stronger technical and financial guarantees to prevent speculation and inactive permits.
• The fiscal regime is described as attractive and diversified, combining a 25% profit tax, a 10% free state equity share in operating companies, and royalties indexed to mineral prices. However, some stakeholders view tax holidays and exemptions as overly generous.
• Broad stability clauses covering legal, financial, customs, and environmental conditions are in place to protect investors, but the report argues that unlimited stability in non-fiscal areas is no longer recommended and may inhibit future regulation.
• Environmental management is hindered by a lack of national environmental standards, infrequent site inspections, and insufficient equipment for the state to conduct independent counter-expertise on water quality and heavy metals.
• While laws require closure and restoration plans and financial guarantees for mine sites, the two-year deadline for updating these plans before closure is deemed poorly adapted to the technical requirements of progressive restoration.
• Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) emerged rapidly following a 2016 gold rush near the Tasiast mine, involving an estimated 20,000 miners. This sector remains largely informal, with continued use of mercury despite official bans.
• Socio-economic benefits include a policy for the progressive 'Mauritanization' of mining personnel and the creation of the town of Chami to support the Tasiast mine, though inequalities persist between expatriate and local employee salaries.

APA

Crawford, A., Naré, C., & Samoura, K. (2017). Évaluation du cadre directif pour l’exploitation minière : Mauritanie. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/mauritania-mining-policy-framework-assessment-french.pdf

Chicago

Crawford, Alec, Clémence Naré, and Karim Samoura. Évaluation du cadre directif pour l’exploitation minière : Mauritanie. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2017. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/mauritania-mining-policy-framework-assessment-french.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Crawford |first1=Alec |last2=Naré |first2=Clémence |last3=Samoura |first3=Karim |title=Évaluation du cadre directif pour l’exploitation minière : Mauritanie |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=August 2017 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/mauritania-mining-policy-framework-assessment-french.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{crawford2017valuation, author = {Crawford, Alec and Naré, Clémence and Samoura, Karim}, title = {{Évaluation du cadre directif pour l’exploitation minière : Mauritanie}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2017}, month = aug, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/mauritania-mining-policy-framework-assessment-french.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }