Press release from GMM regarding the signing of a partnership with the Chinese Shandong Zhuangcheng Group

NDB, November 21, 2024  

We are pleased to announce that a partnership agreement has been reached between the Mauritania Granite and Marble Company (GMM S.A.) and the Chinese Shandong Zhuangcheng Group this Thursday, November 21, 2024. This agreement focuses on the exploitation and valorization of granite deposits.

The agreement covers the following elements: 

• The provision of equipment and machinery necessary for optimal quarry operation, in compliance with technical and environmental requirements. 
• The exploitation of GMM’s quarries with the modernization of production tools. 
• An annual production of over 10,000 m³ of granite in the first year, increasing to more than 20,000 m³ from the second year onward. 
• A short-term entry into the capital of GMM. 
• The construction of a processing plant in Nouadhibou starting in the third year. 
• The recruitment of local labor and skill transfer. 

The project will be implemented in several stages, beginning with a two-year period of granite deposit exploitation, followed by the construction of a modern processing plant in Nouadhibou by the Shandong Zhuangcheng Group. This facility will allow for local processing of granite, thus generating added value and jobs.

The agreement provides for a partnership spanning at least 20 years, which will strengthen GMM's position in the regional mining sector and contribute to the economic development of the Dakhlet Nouadhibou and Adrar regions. Both companies are committed to adhering to strict environmental standards and adopting best industrial practices. They are confident that this cooperation will yield positive outcomes for their respective economies and local communities.

The Shandong Zhuangcheng Group, located in Shidao, Rongcheng City, Shandong Province, is a leader in the stone industry in China. It specializes in mining, importing, processing, and selling construction stones, and also holds rights for the import and export of products and technologies. The Chinese group currently operates five mines, three large-scale processing bases, and possesses six industrial enterprises, producing 2.2 million square meters of slabs annually. 

The Mauritania Granite and Marble Company (GMM S.A.) is a key player in the sector in Mauritania. Founded in 1998 and a subsidiary of the SNIM group, GMM specializes in the exploitation of ornamental stones, particularly granite. It manages the extraction, processing, and marketing of products such as blocks, slabs, and granite cobblestones. The company has also invested in granite shaping factories and ballast production, operating several quarries and maintaining a strong presence in the local market.