Mining industry in Morocco - statistics & facts
Unlike many other countries in the MENA region, Morocco lacks crude oil reserves and relies on imports to meet its petroleum and gas needs. However, the country’s rich phosphate reserves, which account for nearly 70 percent of the world’s supply, provide a crucial advantage. The mining industry has deep roots in Morocco, with modern operations dating back to the 1920s. It plays a pivotal role in the national economy, contributing substantially to the industrial sector’s share of the GDP. So, how diversified is the industry, and what growth opportunities might it offer for the country's future?
All in all, Morocco's mining industry serves as a catalyst for new opportunities across various sectors on an international scale. The growing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies highlights Morocco's importance, particularly in providing essential materials like cobalt for batteries. Additionally, its phosphate reserves are crucial for global agriculture. The mining sector also fosters opportunities in infrastructure, technology transfer, and trade partnerships, positioning Morocco as a strategic player in the global market and a hub for innovation and industrial collaboration.
A market overview
Morocco’s mining sector is notably diverse, with significant deposits of minerals such as lead, fluorite, and antimony found along the Atlantic coast and in the central regions. By the end of 2022, barite, salt, and sodium feldspar were the leading minerals produced, while cobalt and silver accounted for smaller outputs. Compared to the annual fluctuations silver production has recently experienced, the country’s gold production has remained steady at around 140,000 kilograms from 2020 to 2022. Copper, primarily mined in the Anti-Atlas region, is widely used to produce traditional crafts such as tagines and teapots as well as decorative items. On the other hand, the High Atlas Mountains hold deposits of lead, zinc, manganese, iron, and barite, while the Rif region is rich in strategic metals and smectic clays. Indeed, Morocco’s substantial phosphate reserves, concentrated in the western part of the country led by the city of Khouribga, are a cornerstone of its mining industry. In 2022 alone, phosphate extraction reached nearly 24 million metric tons, creating significant opportunities for new technologies and innovations, both domestically and internationally.International outlook
Morocco plays a pivotal role in the global supply chain, with copper and barite topping the country's mining ore exports as of 2022, generating approximately 162 billion U.S. dollars and 122 billion U.S. dollars, respectively. Historically, the phosphate industry has dominated Morocco’s export landscape. However, by 2023, phosphates and their derivatives accounted for 17.7 percent of the country's exports, trailing behind the agriculture and agri-food and the automotive sectors. Notably, the automotive industry surpassed phosphate exports for the first time that year. As of 2023, although Morocco held the world’s largest phosphate rock reserves, China led in production with 90,000 metric tons. This dominance is likely due to China's greater production capacity and its vast agricultural sector which drive phosphate rock production. In contrast, Morocco focuses on processing and exporting phosphate derivatives such as phosphoric acid and fertilizers, rather than maximizing raw phosphate rock extraction.All in all, Morocco's mining industry serves as a catalyst for new opportunities across various sectors on an international scale. The growing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies highlights Morocco's importance, particularly in providing essential materials like cobalt for batteries. Additionally, its phosphate reserves are crucial for global agriculture. The mining sector also fosters opportunities in infrastructure, technology transfer, and trade partnerships, positioning Morocco as a strategic player in the global market and a hub for innovation and industrial collaboration.
