Zouérat (Arabic: الزويرات) is the largest town in northern Mauritania and the capital of the Tiris Zemmour region, with an approximate population of 62,380 (2023).

Mining at the mountain was first recorded from the Kediet ej Jill in the 11th century, but it was not until 1952 that iron ore deposits were first commercially extracted on an industrial scale.

In 1981 a new iron ore deposit was discovered at Guelb el Rhein, 35 km (22 mi) north of Zouérat.

Freight trains that transport the iron ore to the coast can be as long as 2.5 km (1.6 mi) in length.

The climate is hot and dry throughout the year, a description accredited to the town's location within the extremes of the Sahara.