Évaluation du cadre directif pour l’exploitation minière : Mauritanie

This report, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in August 2017, evaluates the legal and policy framework of the mining sector in Mauritania. Using the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) Mining Policy Framework, the assessment analyzes six thematic pillars: legal and policy environment, financial returns, socio-economic returns, environmental management, post-mining transition, and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). The report identifies strengths in the country's geological information systems and fiscal attractiveness, but highlights significant gaps in legislative consolidation, environmental monitoring capacity, and the formalization of the emerging ASM sector.

• Mauritania's mining legislation is characterized by frequent updates but lacks consolidation, leading to a fragmented legal environment that can confuse investors and administrators. The Mining Code of 2008 has been modified multiple times (2009, 2012, 2014), yet these changes have not been merged into a single text.
• The government provides strong stability guarantees for mining projects, covering legal, financial, fiscal, customs, and environmental conditions. However, the report notes that unlimited stability clauses are no longer recommended by international standards and may inhibit the state's ability to adapt to future environmental or social needs.
• The fiscal regime is described as diversified and attractive, utilizing a combination of a 25% profit tax, a 10% free state equity share in operating companies, and royalties indexed to mineral prices. Despite this, some stakeholders argue that tax holidays (congés fiscaux) are too generous, potentially lasting five to eight years.
• Environmental management is hampered by a lack of national environmental standards and insufficient state capacity for monitoring. The Direction du Contrôle Environnemental (DCE) lacks the human and financial resources for regular site visits, and agents on-site often lack the equipment to conduct independent chemical analyses of water and soil.
• While the legal framework requires closure and restoration plans and financial guarantees for all mining projects, the two-year deadline for updating these plans before closure is considered inadequate for progressive restoration. There is also a lack of post-restoration monitoring regulations, particularly for tailings dams.
• Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a very recent phenomenon in Mauritania, sparked by a gold rush near the Tasiast mine in March 2016 involving approximately 20,000 miners. The sector remains largely informal, with significant environmental impacts and safety risks due to a lack of technical training and state surveillance.
• Socio-economic benefits are managed through Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and policies like the progressive 'Mauritanization' of personnel. However, significant wage and living condition disparities persist between expatriates and local employees, which has previously led to strikes.

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} }