Morocco, a country known for its rich mineral resources, is home to seven of the 24 minerals and metals considered vital for the technological, military, and food industries, according to the Moroccan Economic, Social and Environmental Council (ESEC).
The council’s president, Ahmed Reda Chami, presented the findings of a report proposing a list of 24 strategic and critical minerals for Morocco, which are essential for the country’s economic, energy, and industrial policies, as well as its defense.
The list of strategic and critical minerals established by the ESEC includes aluminum, borates, ferrochrome, tin, germanium, cobalt, phosphates, graphite, lithium, magnesite, molybdenum, ferroniobium, selenium, silicon, rare earths, tungsten, barite, fluorite, manganese, copper, nickel, potash, sulfur, and titanium.
Chami emphasized the need for the Moroccan government to invest more in the prospecting and transformation of these elements to ensure its industrial sovereignty. The minerals that Morocco possesses include cobalt and phosphates. However, the country currently imports most of its critical and strategic metals, as suppliers are limited worldwide, and many exporting countries suffer from political instability.
Chami expressed disappointment that the minerals that exist in Morocco are mostly exported in their raw state, with the exception of phosphates and cobalt. He noted that most of the mines have small surfaces and criticized the government for not providing tax incentives or means to promote investment in mineral prospecting.
The report also criticizes the government for not having announced a list of strategic and critical minerals or provided official information on the mineral potential of the Moroccan maritime space. The report cites the Tropic seamount, located between the Atlantic coasts of Western Sahara and those of the Canary Islands, as an example of great potential for iron, magnesium, cobalt, and tellurium.
Both Spain and Morocco aspire to ownership of the seamount.
According to the report, Moroccan mining production reached 40.5 million tons in 2021, with phosphates accounting for most of it (38.1 million tons). Morocco is the world leader in phosphate production. The report also notes that Morocco is one of the top African producers of silver, barite, and cobalt. The Moroccan mining sector contributes 10% to the country’s GDP and 26% to its exports, employing approximately 50,000 people.
If someone would stamp the remaining permit Emmerson a British potash miner would open the first potash mine in Africa within a couple of years.
Millions in tax for the Moroccan government, jobs for locals & food security for the nation.
If only someone in the ministry would get a move on & give it the final approval.