Bu Craa

Western Sahara

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Bu Craa was a significant site for phosphate deposits in Western Sahara. A 65-mile-long conveyor belt was constructed to transport the ore from Bu Craa to a loading pier near Laayoune. During the guerrilla warfare between the Polisario Front and Morocco, this conveyor was frequently damaged. The extraction of phosphates at Bu Craa presented challenges due to water scarcity.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Western Sahara
History
…phosphate deposits were discovered at Bu Craa in the northern portion of the Spanish Sahara, which made the province a potentially economically valuable prize for any country that could firmly establish possession of it. Mining of the deposits at Bu Craa began in 1972.
Read More
…phosphate deposits were discovered at Bu Craa in the northern portion of the Spanish Sahara, which made the province a potentially economically valuable prize for any country that could firmly establish possession of it. Mining of the deposits at Bu Craa began in 1972.
Read More