SHATI', WADI ASH-

valley in south-central Libya. The valley extends between Wanzarik town on the west and Umm al-'Abid town on the east for a distance of about 87 miles (140 km). Wadi ash-Shati' has one of the largest iron-ore deposits in the world; it was discovered in 1943, and, although it is suitable for strip mining, it is not high-grade ore. Manganese reserves also have been detected, and millet is grown in the valley.