Akjoujt (Arabic: أكجوجت) is a small city in western Mauritania. It is the capital of Inchiri region. "Akjoujt" (ɑk'ʤuʤt) means 'wells'.[1] The city's main industry is gold and copper mining.
Archeologists have discovered that as early as 1000 BC, copper smelting and mining was occurring in Akjoujt.[2] According to archeologist Nicole N. Lambert, metallurgical traces and discovery sites proves relation between Mauritanian metallurgy and the introduction of Berbers into the western Sahara and the Sahel.[3] In 1992 the city's old copper mine was repurposed into a gold mine. The company, Mines d'Or d'Akjoujt (MORAK), which was government-subsidized, was using many volatile and dangerous chemicals in the mines, and livestock and other animals in the area began to die. The runoff from the mine was stored in a plastic-lined retention pond and was very close to the city's water supply. Despite warnings that the rainfall in the area could cause the toxic material to spread, the mining continued for four years. MORAK, in order to boost support, offered free drinking water and placed fences around the facility, but had little effect on public opinion.
Homes being built in Akjoujt
The Mauritanian government allegedly suppressed information regarding the mine's safety issues and MORAK fired employees who reported health problems. The director of health in Akjoujt was transferred to Nouakchott after he suggested health screenings for miners. The gold mine closed in 1996.[4] As of 2011, the Mauritanian government was planning to expand and rehabilitate the water supply system in Akjoujt and several other cities and towns.[5]
Former Mauritanian PresidentMohamed Ould Abdel Aziz is a native of Akjoujt. Summers in Akjoujt are extremely hot, with temperatures reaching up to 50.0 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).
^As told by a village elder to Carl Masthay, St. Louis, Missouri, at his request in June 1973 while in Akjoujt for 6 days.
^Connah, Graham. "The Origins of African Iron-Working." Forgotten Africa: An Introduction to Its Archaeology. Louisville: Presbyterian Corporation, 2004. 55. Print.
^Dickman, Daryl A. "Abstracts." Abstract/Index to A.S.A. Annual Meeting Papers, 1960-1974. Camden: African Studies Association, 1976. 20. Print.
^Pazzanita, Anthony G. "Environment." Historical Dictionary of Mauritania. 3rd ed. Vol. 110. Lanham: Scarecrow, 2008. 192. Print. Historical Dictionaries of Africa.
^International Monetary Fund. "XIX. Water and Sanitation in Urban Areas." Islamic Republic of Mauritania: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. Vol. 2. Washington, D.C.: International Monetary Fund, 2011. 120. Print. Staff Country Reports.
^Farhaoui, Fouad. "Two Powers Rising in Mauritania: Turkey and China." Mauritania and Newly Emerging Economies in Africa Turkey and China. N.p.: International Strategic Research Organization, 2013. 46. USAK Report. Web.
January 29, 2023
akjoujt, arabic, أكجوجت, small, city, western, mauritania, capital, inchiri, region, ʤuʤt, means, wells, city, main, industry, gold, copper, mining, أكجوجتskyline, location, mauritaniacoordinates, coordinates, 383countrymauritaniaregioninchiripopulation, total. Akjoujt Arabic أكجوجت is a small city in western Mauritania It is the capital of Inchiri region Akjoujt ɑk ʤuʤt means wells 1 The city s main industry is gold and copper mining Akjoujt أكجوجتSkyline of AkjoujtAkjoujtLocation in MauritaniaCoordinates 19 45 N 14 23 W 19 750 N 14 383 W 19 750 14 383 Coordinates 19 45 N 14 23 W 19 750 N 14 383 W 19 750 14 383CountryMauritaniaRegionInchiriPopulation Total11 235History EditArcheologists have discovered that as early as 1000 BC copper smelting and mining was occurring in Akjoujt 2 According to archeologist Nicole N Lambert metallurgical traces and discovery sites proves relation between Mauritanian metallurgy and the introduction of Berbers into the western Sahara and the Sahel 3 In 1992 the city s old copper mine was repurposed into a gold mine The company Mines d Or d Akjoujt MORAK which was government subsidized was using many volatile and dangerous chemicals in the mines and livestock and other animals in the area began to die The runoff from the mine was stored in a plastic lined retention pond and was very close to the city s water supply Despite warnings that the rainfall in the area could cause the toxic material to spread the mining continued for four years MORAK in order to boost support offered free drinking water and placed fences around the facility but had little effect on public opinion Homes being built in AkjoujtThe Mauritanian government allegedly suppressed information regarding the mine s safety issues and MORAK fired employees who reported health problems The director of health in Akjoujt was transferred to Nouakchott after he suggested health screenings for miners The gold mine closed in 1996 4 As of 2011 the Mauritanian government was planning to expand and rehabilitate the water supply system in Akjoujt and several other cities and towns 5 Former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz is a native of Akjoujt Summers in Akjoujt are extremely hot with temperatures reaching up to 50 0 degrees Celsius 122 degrees Fahrenheit Sister cities EditAkjoujt is twinned with Meram Konya Province Turkey 6 References Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Akjoujt As told by a village elder to Carl Masthay St Louis Missouri at his request in June 1973 while in Akjoujt for 6 days Connah Graham The Origins of African Iron Working Forgotten Africa An Introduction to Its Archaeology Louisville Presbyterian Corporation 2004 55 Print Dickman Daryl A Abstracts Abstract Index to A S A Annual Meeting Papers 1960 1974 Camden African Studies Association 1976 20 Print Pazzanita Anthony G Environment Historical Dictionary of Mauritania 3rd ed Vol 110 Lanham Scarecrow 2008 192 Print Historical Dictionaries of Africa International Monetary Fund XIX Water and Sanitation in Urban Areas Islamic Republic of Mauritania Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Vol 2 Washington D C International Monetary Fund 2011 120 Print Staff Country Reports Farhaoui Fouad Two Powers Rising in Mauritania Turkey and China Mauritania and Newly Emerging Economies in Africa Turkey and China N p International Strategic Research Organization 2013 46 USAK Report Web Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Akjoujt amp oldid 1047071109, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
