Massive mineral discovery in Ouarzazate region poised to transform Moroccan economy

A newly announced mineral discovery in the Amassine area of southeastern Morocco could reshape both the local and national economy, according to Hespress civil society actors and government sources.

Canadian firm Catalyst Mines Inc revealed that the site contains exceptionally high concentrations of chromium, along with significant traces of nickel and cobalt — all critical minerals for global clean technology industries.

Early estimates place the total value of the discovery at over $60 billion, making it one of the most significant mineral finds in Africa in recent years.

Abderrahmane Aghrib, president of a local development association in the Amerzgane district, said the project could be a “game-changer” for the region. He emphasized that the development is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, helping to curb high unemployment and reduce rural-to-urban migration.

Aghrib also noted that the project could trigger broader economic activity through infrastructure development and vocational training programs aimed at preparing the local workforce for careers in the mining and metallurgy sectors.

A senior official from the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development in the Draa-Tafilalet region told Hespress that the find is among the most strategically important mining projects announced in recent years. The ministry, he said, is closely monitoring its development to ensure environmental compliance and to promote responsible investment.

The government is also focused on integrating the local population into the mining initiative, either through direct employment or by supporting local businesses to join the supply chain and service network tied to the project.

The discovery further positions Morocco as a key supplier of critical raw materials to the global market, particularly at a time when demand for chromium, cobalt, and nickel is surging due to their use in electric vehicles, battery technologies, and clean energy solutions. The project is also seen as a step toward industrial sovereignty and economic diversification beyond Morocco’s traditional sectors.

Environmental advocate and local civil society member Mohcine Ait Bela said the discovery could make Morocco a regional hub for strategic industries, especially those tied to energy transition. He pointed out that Moroccan cobalt is considered among the world’s highest quality, essential in electronics, smart chips, and advanced fuel technologies.

“If reserves in Ouarzazate prove as significant as early data suggests,” Ait Bela said, “Morocco could join the ranks of the world’s top three producers of strategic minerals, boosting its leverage on the global stage.”

Observers in southeastern Morocco view the find as the start of a new era in sustainable development. They say the project represents a model for national development, blending economic growth, environmental responsibility, and community inclusion — with the potential to deliver long-term benefits to the region and beyond.