According to a statement released by the African Development Bank (AFDB), Mauritania plans to double its iron ore production to over 45 million mt per year over the next decade, in accordance with a shift towards low-carbon and more efficient processes in the global steel market, which will require high-quality iron ore and direct reduced pellets.
Within the scope of its plans, the country will make investments in its infrastructure and logistics, focusing on the production of high-quality iron ore and pellets. For this purpose, national mining giant Societe Nationale Industrielle et Miniere (SNIM) will develop a direct reduced iron (DRI) production plant, as SteelOrbis reported previously.
In the medium to long term, Mauritania is considering switching to green steel production, which would require green energy. Therefore, the country is planning a green hydrogen market, with the aim of becoming a clean energy hub. With the financial and technical support of the AFDB, Mauritania’s $40 billion Aman project aims to produce 1.7 million mt of green hydrogen and 10 million mt of green ammonia per year. Moreover, the Nour green hydrogen project has the potential to become one of the largest in the global market by 2030. Meanwhile, SNIM and Luxembourg-based steel giant ArcelorMittal are exploring to option to jointly produce green steel, which is expected to make Mauritania a leader in sustainable steel production.
Additionally, Mauritania’s Grand Tortue Ahmeyim natural gas project is set to be operational by the end of this year, with the Banda BirAllah gas field following behind, supporting the planned green steel production.
The combination of the above is expected to attract private investments to the country.