Sahara : Mauritania comments on the death of four gold miners in the buffer zone

The Mauritanian government has confirmed the death of four of its nationals in the buffer zone in Western Sahara, local media reported. «Gold miners have been targeted outside the borders», lamented the Minister of Oil and Mines and Mauritanian spokesperson told media. Nani Ould Chrougha clarified that the mission of the Mauritanian State is limited to «securing the national territorial space».

For the record, the Mauritanian government has launched several campaigns to raise «awareness among exploration companies and regional administrations», urging them to look for gold only within the territory of the country.

Four Mauritanian gold miners were killed last weekend near the town of Gleibat El Foula, located east of the Sand Wall erected by the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), in the buffer zone, approximately 150 km east of Dakhla, part of the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region. They were on board three vehicles, leaving from the Mauritanian town of Zouerate.