The Kingdom also highlighted the opportunities for partnership between the two countries in the energy industry and new technologies

Marruecos y Sudán impulsan la cooperación en el sector minero

REUTERS/YOUSSEF BOUDLAL - Phosphate mine at the Boucraa factory of the Moroccan National Phosphate Company (OCP) located in the southern provinces, 100 km southwest of the city of Laayoune.

Margarita Arredondas

23 de septiembre de 2021 (10:24 h.)

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Aziz Rabbah, Morocco's Minister of Energy, Mining and Environment, met with his Sudanese counterpart, Mohamed Bashir Abdullah, in Rabat to outline new strategic partnerships in the mining sector. This meeting with the Sudanese minister is part of the Alawi Kingdom's plans to strengthen the South-South partnership. Furthermore, as the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Environment points out, it also seeks to promote cooperation in energy and new technologies, in addition to mining.

According to Rabbah, the "excellent level of bilateral relations" between Morocco and Sudan creates opportunities for collaboration in various sectors. The Kingdom is "ready to share its expertise in the fields of energy, mining, industry and agriculture with Sudan," the Moroccan minister said. Rabbah also stressed the importance of investing in human capital by supporting the training of young people.

For his part, Bashir Abdullah said he was "impressed" with Morocco's work in the field of mining and industry. "Sudan wishes to benefit from Morocco's experience and expertise in the fields of phosphate, energy and mining," the Sudanese minister said. He also stated that his country was committed to the democratic process and aspired to regional and international openness. Recently, the Sudanese government succeeded in thwarting a coup attempt organised by a group of military officers who were subsequently arrested.

In addition to meeting with Rabbah, Bashir Abdullah will also hold talks with several officials from the Moroccan mining sector, such as the OCP Group, the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines, the Managem company and the National Higher School of Mines in Rabat.

The Managem company, in particular, already has experience in Sudanese territory. Last March, it signed an agreement with the Chinese company Wanbao Mining to acquire a 65% stake in the Gabgaba gold mine in the north of the country. This precious metal is the main wealth exploited in Sudan. According to data from the Would Gold Council, more than 76 tonnes were extracted in the country in 2019. Sudan is the third largest producer in Africa, ahead of other nations such as Ghana, South Africa, Mali and Tanzania. Similarly, gold represented the main source of income in 2018 with 1.2 billion dollars.