SNIM (Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière) the national industrial and
mining company was founded in 1974 after the government of Mauritania
nationalized MIFERMA (Mines de Fer de Mauritanie) which in turn was created in
1952 to exploit the iron ore deposits in the region of Tiris Zemmour specifically near
Zouérate (in the Kedia d'Idjil).