Akjoujt

Akjoujt is a small mining city in western Mauritania and the capital of the Inchiri region, about 250 km northeast of Nouakchott on the edge of the Sahara. Its name means "wells", reflecting the settlement's long role as a stopping point in a dry and sparsely populated landscape.

The area has one of the longest mining histories in West Africa. Archaeological evidence shows copper smelting and mining around Akjoujt as early as 1000 BC. During the colonial period the settlement was known as Fort Repoux, and modern copper production began in 1970 before the focus shifted toward gold at the Guelb Moghrein copper-gold mine.

Akjoujt remains a working town shaped by mining, set among rocky hills, sand plains and desert. Points of interest include the Guelb Moghrein mine area, ancient mining and smelting sites, and surrounding Saharan landscapes that are usually reached by 4x4.

The town has modest but practical visitor infrastructure, including a market, shops, simple restaurants, limited accommodation and a small local airport. Most travellers arrive by road from Nouakchott or use Akjoujt as a base for desert and mining-related visits.

For both leisure and business travellers, Akjoujt offers an insight into Mauritania's mining heritage and desert environment. It appeals to people interested in history, geology, archaeology and off-the-beaten-path travel, while the mining and support industries bring a steady flow of business visitors.