Mauritania's main export is iron, mainly toward Europe and China. These pictures show the process of extracting Africa's natural resources to be used in wealthier countries.
A truck drives along a road at the TO-14 iron ore mine in Zouerate, Mauritania, June 23, 2014.
A machine that breaks down iron ore is seen at the SNIM TO-14 iron ore mine in Zouerate, Mauritania, June 23, 2014.
A SNIM truck driver walks in front of trucks at the TO-14 iron ore mine in Zouerate, Mauritania, June 23, 2014.
A man climbs down from a rooftop in the iron ore mining town of Zouerate, Mauritania, June 23, 2014.
A woman walks in front of houses for SNIM workers in the iron ore mining town of Zouerate, Mauritania, June 23, 2014.
Machines operate at Guelb mine site in Zouerate, Mauritania, June 24, 2014.
A SNIM worker oversees the transfer of iron ore to train cars at the Guelb mine site in Zouerate, Mauritania, June 24, 2014.
Passengers take a break to pray while traveling on SNIM train carrying iron ore and mine workers across the desert outside Nouadhibou, Mauritania, June 25, 2014.
Passengers take a break while traveling on SNIM train carrying iron ore and mine workers across the desert outside Nouadhibou, Mauritania, June 25, 2014.
Boys board a SNIM train officer drinks water on a train carrying iron ore and mine workers in Zouerate, Mauritania, June 24, 2014.
A businessman looks out the window while on board a SNIM train carrying iron ore and mine workers across the desert outside Zouerate June 24, 2014.
Passengers on a SNIM train carrying iron ore and mine workers arrive in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, June 25, 2014.
A SNIM train carrying iron ore arrives in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, June 26, 2014.
A passenger on a SNIM train carrying iron ore and mine workers waits for transport after arriving in Nouadhibou June 25, 2014.
An abandoned colonial military base is seen next to the port of Nouadhibou June 25, 2014.
A donkey walks on a street in downtown Nouadhibou June 25, 2014.
A conveyor belt used to transport iron ore to a ship is seen at SNIM headquarters in the port of Nouadhibou June 26, 2014.
The SNIM port is seen in Nouadhibou June 25, 2014.