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ArcelorMittal and SNIM to Develop Iron Ore Project

01/09/2008 - ArcelorMittal and Societe Nationale Industrielle et Miniere conclude a Memorandum of Understanding for development of a large iron ore mining project using the El Agareb Iron ore resource in Mauritania.

ArcelorMittal has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with Societe Nationale Industrielle et Miniere (SNIM), Mauritania. 
 
Under terms of the MoU, SNIM and ArcelorMittal would jointly develop a large iron ore mining project, using the El Agareb Iron ore resource in Mauritania, which is estimated to contain more than 1 billion tonnes rich grade of Magnetite resource.
 
In the first phase of project development, ArcelorMittal will conduct exploratory works and a feasibility study. Onward project execution will be progressed by a Joint Venture Company to be created between SNIM and ArcelorMittal.
 
ArcelorMittal will hold a 30% share at the exploratory and prospecting stage, with an option to increase the stake to 70% once project execution starts. Subject to the feasibility study, ArcelorMittal intends to develop a 25-million-tonnes/year mine.
 
“Mauritania’s strategic location in West Africa makes it an ideal choice for iron ore supplies to ArcelorMittal’s European steel mills,” commented Aditya Mittal, CFO and member of ArcelorMittal’s Group Management Board. “This large iron ore project would further strengthen our existing presence in the region and will create substantial employment opportunities for the people of Mauritania while accelerating growth in Mauritanian economy.”
 
SNIM, one of the oldest iron ore producing companies in Africa, produces more than 12 million tonnes of iron ore per year with world class production facilities and infrastructure. ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel company, is one of the oldest consumers of SNIM’s iron ore, having been a customer for more than two decades.
 
ArcelorMittal is the world's largest steel company, with 320,000 employees in more than 60 countries. The company leads a number of major global markets, including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with leading R&D and technology, as well as sizeable captive supplies of raw materials and outstanding distribution networks. An industrial presence in 27 European, Asian, African and American countries exposes the company to key steel markets, from emerging to mature, positions it will be looking to develop in the high-growth Chinese and Indian markets.
 
ArcelorMittal’s key pro forma financials for 2006 show combined revenues of USD 88.6 billion, with a crude steel production of 118 million tonnes, representing around 10% of world steel output.