Summary:

On 25 June 2026, the Mauritanian government announced the upcoming launch of gold mining operations at Ghabou in the Guidimakha region, according to the Mauritanian News Agency (AMI). 

Production is expected to begin in the coming months under the management of SD Mining Ghabou SA. 

The project was presented during a Council of Ministers meeting and is framed as part of the country’s broader strategy to develop its mining sector and diversify the economy.  

Authorities estimate that the mine could generate between 1,000 and 1,200 direct and indirect jobs, with priority given to national recruitment and a structured framework for foreign expertise and skills transfer where needed. 

The government also indicated that the Ghabou project forms part of a wider pipeline of mining developments expected throughout 2027 and 2028, reflecting an ongoing expansion of the extractive sector as a key driver of employment and public revenue. 

Outlook: 

The launch of the Ghabou gold project points to a continued state-led push to expand the mining sector as a tool for employment creation and economic diversification, particularly in southern regions such as Guidimakha.  

Furthermore, the project reflects expanding global demand for gold which has drawn increasing interest from both private and state-level investors in the face of global insecurity and market volatility. 

The emphasis on local hiring requirements combined with regulated reliance on foreign expertise indicates a managed approach to labour integration, aimed at balancing short-term operational needs with longer-term domestic capacity building in the mining sector. 

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