The Mauritanian government has officially approved a decree aimed at protecting the site known as “Qalb Al-Rayshat,” also referred to as “The Eye of Africa,” according to local media reports.
This site is also known as “The Eye of the Sahara” and is ranked among the top 100 geological heritage sites globally. It is the only site of its kind in West Africa.
The Mauritanian government has stated that Qalb Al-Rayshat faces multiple pressures, including the plundering of its historical archaeological heritage, disruption of its environmental balance, and accelerated soil degradation.
The current decree project aims to establish and define an appropriate protective system, inventory and preserve the geological heritage of the site.
This includes identifying various elements of this heritage, specifying its characteristics, and preserving it under conditions that enable sustainable management.
The decree also outlines punitive measures for violations of the provisions contained within it, as well as planning and management procedures.
The site is renowned for its natural heritage beauty and exceptional value, holding significant geological and environmental importance, both nationally and internationally.
It serves as a landmark often observed by astronauts, contributing significantly to its global recognition.
Last August, Mauritania’s President, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, called on gold prospectors to observe strict safety measures following the collapse of two mines in the Tiris region, Northern Mauritania.
The mine collapses during gold excavations have led to numerous casualties and injuries, primarily due to inadequate safety standards and poor rescue means.
There are growing demands for the government to create a safer environment for miners and prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
These accidents in Northern Mauritania’s gold prospecting wells have repeatedly resulted in several victims, underscoring the absence of proper safety and security measures. Miners often resort to primitive methods to extract rocks containing gold from deep within the Earth.
