📋 Tender Overview
Reference: 20240336
Release date: 12 May 2025
Promoter – Financial Intermediary
NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL AND MINING COMPANY
Location
Mauritania
Description
The project will finance the expansion of the railway line owned and operated by SN (SOCIETE NATIONALE INDUSTRIELLE ET MINIERE), linking the iron ore mining region of Zouerate to the port of Nouadhibou. It will include an extension of the railway line to new mining sites at El Aouj and Atomai, covering 42 km of new rail tracks, to meet the transport needs of these sites. The project also involves the acquisition of rolling stock (locomotives and wagons), the extension of maintenance facilities, and the procurement of equipment for infrastructure maintenance, as part of SNIM's investment programme.
Objectives
The aim is to increase the quality, capacity, availability and reliability of rail operations in Mauritania and contribute to SNIM's competitiveness. It is expected to generate time and vehicle operating cost savings, reduce the maintenance costs of the infrastructure and improve railway safety. This will prevent the modal shift from rail to road and, thereby, present climate, environmental and road safety benefits.
Sector(s)
Transport - Transportation and storage
Under Global Europe NDICI guarantee
Under EFSD+ Guarantee
Proposed EIB finance (Approximate amount)
USD 125 million (EUR 111 million)
Total cost (Approximate amount)
USD 512 million (EUR 455 million)
Environmental aspects
The project will be implemented mostly on the existing alignment of the railway and within the existing right of way; therefore potential negative environmental and social impacts are likely to be minor. The project was subject to an environmental social impact assessment (ESIA) in accordance with the national legislation. The compliance of SNIM environmental and social policy and the associated management systems (policies, procedures and resources) with the EIB Group Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework and the EIB Environment Framework will be further assessed. The assessment of the environmental, climate and social impacts and risks will be carried out for any underlying investment of the project and the associated facilities, thereby ensuring that the project is in compliance with national law and in line with the principles and standards of relevant EU environmental legislation and meet the EIB environmental and social principles and standards.
Procurement
The promoter will take all requisite measures to ensure that contracts for implementation of the project will be tendered in line with the EIB's Guide to Procurement.
Status
Under appraisal - 4/09/2024
