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Zeidane Ould Hmeida is a former politician in Mauritania. During the presidency of Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, Hmeida became the Minister of Industry and Mines in November 2001 and then Minister of Oil and Energy in March 2005. Hmeida lost his position in August 2005, when Taya was overthrown. Hmeida is infamous for his involvements with the Woodside Petroleum and amendments that provided for a lower state quota in the profit-oil, and reduced taxes by 15 percent in certain zones. They also eased environmental constraints, and extended the length and scope of the exploitation and exploration monopoly, among other measures. He was arrested in January 2006 on charges of "serious crimes against the country's essential economic interests". It was estimated that the amendments could cost Mauritania up to 200 million dollars a year.
