The Mauritanian army intervened to supply water to gold prospectors in the remote Tiris Zemour region after days of severe shortages, highlighting ongoing challenges in supporting mining communities in the country's far north.
The Mauritanian army has delivered emergency water supplies to a group of gold prospectors stranded in the remote "détroit d'Ormuz" area of Amirq Ayah, in the far north of Tiris Zemour. The intervention followed several days during which the miners faced acute shortages of potable water, raising concerns about the risks faced by those working in isolated mining zones.
Efforts by the miners to secure water from private suppliers in the "Gleib Ndour" region were unsuccessful, as high transport costs led tanker owners to refuse delivery. The situation escalated until the Union nationale des orpailleurs, led by Mohamed Ould Hamza, appealed to local authorities, unions, and the military for urgent assistance.
Army Coordinates Relief Operation
According to Ould Hamza, the chief of staff of the Mauritanian armed forces, Mohamed Val Ould Raïs, personally instructed the commander of the second military region, Colonel Cheikh Ould Sid Bouya, to ensure water was delivered to the miners. The army's "Gleib Ndour" company mobilised a privately owned truck carrying 20 tonnes of water during the night between Thursday and Friday. Of this, 12 tonnes were distributed directly to the miners' camp, with the remainder supplied to surrounding areas.
Colonel Ely Ould Sneïba, deputy commander of the second military region, visited the site to assess the miners' living conditions and confirm the successful delivery of water. The Union nationale des orpailleurs expressed gratitude to the military leadership and the wali of Tiris Zemmour, who maintained ongoing contact with the union throughout the crisis.
Challenges for Remote Mining Communities
This episode underscores the logistical and humanitarian challenges facing Mauritania's remote mining communities, where access to basic resources remains precarious. The incident follows other recent infrastructure and service disruptions in the country, such as the widespread power outages in Nouakchott after a substation fire, which prompted urgent government intervention as reported in coverage of Mauritania's emergency power restoration efforts.
Authorities and industry representatives continue to call for improved support mechanisms for miners operating in isolated regions, as the sector remains a significant source of employment and economic activity in northern Mauritania.
