Work has been underway for several years to increase the maximum axle load of the single-track railroad line for ore transport in Mauritania from 26 to 30 tons. This involves the use of heavy concrete ties, which are manufactured in the railroad's own factory in Nouadhibou. On this section a few kilometers north of Choum, the old wooden ties have just been replaced, the train is moving very slowly, the track has not yet been realigned. Further ahead, a worker is sitting on one of the two rails.
