MAURITANIA: The European Investment Bank approved a US$125m loan in July to support a US$512m programme to increase the capacity of state-owned iron ore firm Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière’s heavy haul railway which links the mining area of Zouerate with the coast at Nouadhibou.
The project includes the purchase of locomotives, wagons and infrastructure maintenance equipment, and the construction of extensions totalling 42 km to serve the Guelb el-Aouj and Atomei mines.
The African Development Bank previously approved a US$150m loan for the programme.
EIB said overall aim is to increase the quality, capacity, availability and reliability of rail operations in Mauritania and contribute to SNIM’s competitiveness. The work is expected to generate time and operating cost savings, reduce infrastructure maintenance costs and improve safety.
