Minister of Minerals: Efforts are underway to regulate the artisanal mining sector in a way that ensures everyone’s rights

The Minister of Minerals and Industry, Mr. Thiam Tidjani, stated in a public session held at the National Assembly on Wednesday evening, chaired by Deputy Ghleioha mint H’Dhana, that the ministry has been working on organizing the artisanal mining sector to ensure everyone’s rights and prevent overlap between different activities. Mining activities have been categorized into four main types: industrial mining, semi-industrial mining, small-scale mining, and artisanal or traditional mining.
He confirmed that, to avoid any group monopolizing at the expense of others, specific geographic areas have been allocated and distributed for each type, taking into account technical, technological, social, and environmental requirements. He added that the ministry’s primary goal is to regulate this vital activity in a way that prevents any overlap between these categories and protects the rights of all investors.

He confirmed that, in implementation of the law, the sector had conducted several specialized field missions to mining areas, with the aim of enforcing rights, eliminating all illegal practices, and ensuring that mining activity proceeds according to the granted licenses and within the designated areas.

The Minister of Minerals and Industry, reviewed the achievements of his sector and the work carried out within a comprehensive approach that seeks to move from ad hoc management to institutional and strategic development, and from unregulated resource exploitation to its valorization within a regulated and transparent legal framework that serves the public interest and enhances the country’s standing. This is in implementation of the program of His Excellency the President, Mr. Mohamed Ould Sheikh Ghazouani, and has been reflected in practical policies and tangible reforms that impact the lives of citizens.