Play
Pause
"Unlocking the Potential of Steel Production in Mauritania with Green Energy: A Path to Economic Growth and Sustainability"
Mauritania has long been known for its vast reserves of iron ore, which is the country's most important export and contributes significantly to the gross domestic product. However, despite having the necessary raw materials for steel production, Mauritania has not fully exploited the potential benefits of manufacturing and exporting steel products due to the high cost of production and the scarcity of energy sources. This is about to change, as the country is well on its way to becoming an exporter of green natural gas and hydrogen, which will help power its steel production process.
Mauritania exports around 12 million metric tons of iron ore annually
In 2020, Mauritania exported $1.33B in Iron Ore, making it the 11th largest exporter of Iron Ore in the world. At the same year, Iron Ore was the 1st most exported product in Mauritania.
Mauritania Exports of steel was US$1.32 Million during 2021
Between 2010 and 2019, Mauritania the production of steel remained stable at around 5 thousand tonnes
Mauritania's Iron Ore reserves : 2 billion metric tons (Gt)
One of the main advantages of steel production in Mauritania is the low cost of production, due to the country's abundant reserves of iron ore. By having access to this raw material, the cost of steel production is lower as compared to countries that need to import iron ore. This means that Mauritania has a competitive advantage in the steel industry, which can translate into higher profits and economic growth for the country.
Mauritania's Natural Gas reserves : 90 trillion cubic feet
Mauritania's Green Hydrogen future projects potential : 50 GW
In addition, Mauritania is well on its way to becoming an exporter of natural gas and green hydrogen. This is an important development as the steel production process requires a large amount of energy. By accessing these energy sources locally, the cost of energy required to run the steel plant will be lower as compared to importing energy from other countries. This will help lower the cost of steel production in Mauritania, making it an attractive destination for investors and companies looking to establish a steel industry.
Exporting Steel
If Mauritania were to shift from exporting iron ore to exporting steel, it could potentially increase its revenue by over 400%. Currently, Mauritania exports around 12 million metric tons of iron ore annually, generating approximately $1.46 billion in revenue. However, based on the 1.6 tons of iron ore needed to produce one ton of steel, the country could produce approximately 7.5 million metric tons of steel, which could generate approximately $6.39 billion in revenue at a value of $852 per metric ton of steel.
Green Steel Production
Moreover, the use of green natural gas and hydrogen in the steel production process will also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is an important factor in today's world, where sustainable production practices are becoming increasingly important. By investing in green steel production, Mauritania can position itself as a leader in sustainable steel production and benefit from the growing demand for green products.
