Morocco wants to exploit its potential in terms of rare earths and strategic metals
The world is experiencing fierce competition in the field of rare earths and strategic metals. The great powers are fighting to gain control of the mines that will guarantee the supply of raw materials for the needs of the new economy, the energy transition and, in particular, the space and defence industries, which are key to guaranteeing the sovereignty of countries.
In this tense geopolitical context, Morocco could emerge as a key player, thanks to its deposits of rare earths and critical minerals that are still underexploited and currently being studied by the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) and its partners.
According to the specialised publication Daily Galaxy, in addition to China and Australia, which have significant reserves of rare earths, there are two African countries that have significant deposits of zinc, lithium and cobalt. These are Morocco and the Republic of South Africa, which could become key players in the supply of mineral raw materials for the manufacture of batteries or for the renewable energy sector.
The data on the global distribution of critical mineral resources, especially rare earths, comes from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the world's leading authority on mineral reserves.
Morocco's potential for rare earths
According to USGS data, Morocco contains several potential rare earth deposits, with reserves that have not yet been exploited. The main reason why Morocco has not yet proceeded to exploit these critical minerals is the rarity of these resources and the complexity of their exploitation.
Reports reveal that Morocco has a geological diversity conducive to the formation of rare earth deposits, mainly thanks to alkaline rocks and carbonates, among other mineralisation.
The exploitation of these rich resources requires significant investment in research and development, for which it is necessary for the country to establish strategic partnerships with various international technology partners.
Another issue relating to the exploitation of this mineral wealth is the legislative aspect: the reform of the Moroccan mining code would constitute an important lever for the sovereignty of the national industry.
In its planning to prepare the ground for these high added value industries, several new features are planned to be introduced in the forthcoming reform of the Moroccan mining code, such as:
- The creation of a mining cadastre to ensure greater transparency and good governance in the sector.
- The establishment of a National Commission for Strategic and Critical Minerals.
- The definition of an official list of strategic minerals.
These three steps are of strategic importance: the list will make it possible to prioritise the supply of critical minerals to national industry, covering all or part of its needs and contributing to the consolidation of Morocco's industrial sovereignty.
The recent establishment of numerous Chinese industrial companies specialising in the manufacture of electric batteries and their components attests to Morocco's growing attractiveness in this strategic sector. This dynamic will soon culminate in the start of operations at the first gigafactory on the African continent, taking advantage of Morocco's geostrategic position.
To maintain this momentum, the North African country needs to secure the entire value chain and guarantee supply in terms of raw materials, critical metal processing, recycling and batteries. A complex equation but one that is indispensable for a sustainable industry.
It is an industrial challenge and a national ambition that requires the concentration of efforts from all public industrial actors, research centres and investors, which will allow Morocco to develop internationally recognised know-how and establish itself as a key player in the global electric battery ecosystem.
New projects
At the ONHYM Board of Directors meeting held on 26 March 2025, the work carried out throughout 2024 was presented, including the drilling of four hydrocarbon exploration wells and the launch of several research projects on strategic and critical minerals essential for the country's energy transition.
The National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines is intensifying its continental exploration efforts and for years now it has been conducting campaigns to evaluate, reduce the risk and promote several potential rare earth deposits.
The 44 mining exploration projects carried out by ONHYM in 2024 cover a wide range of strategic and critical materials spread across the most promising areas of Morocco.
Of these, 22 projects have been carried out directly by the Office, while the remaining 22 have been carried out in partnership with other operators, including the rare earth REE and niobium deposit in Targhat; lithium in Bir El Mam; copper in the Merija sites of Oualad Yaacoub; silver in Alma and Amane Tazougart; cobalt at Tizi N'Ouchene; and nickel and copper at Tassent Anefgou.
ONHYM has partnered with the Managem group to explore two rare earth prospects at Lamlaga and Twihinate, and with the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University to develop magmatic potash near Aousserd in the Glibat Lafhouda and Drag Farnan prospect.
So far, exploration work has revealed three main types of deposit:
- Carbonate deposits characterised by high concentrations of niobium, uranium and rare earths. These geological formations represent one of the country's main potentials.
- The pegmatites illustrated in the Awark deposit, where rare earths can reach up to 4.6%. These deposits offer interesting prospects for specific exploitation.
- Sedimentary deposits whose potential has not yet been sufficiently evaluated, but is promising. These sedimentary formations, which have been less studied to date, could constitute a complementary resource to be systematically explored.
According to data from the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines, the progress made in the various exploration projects has made it possible to establish a preliminary estimate of the resources:
- The Lahjeyra deposit shows resources of 372 million tonnes, with an average content of 0.62% in light rare earths. This site also represents interesting concentrations of niobium and thorium.
- The Lamlaga project has even more significant resources reaching 618 million tonnes with 0.64% oxide and a rare earth index that exceeds 0.95% in some areas.
- The Awark site has contents reaching up to 4.6% rare earths in some sections.
- The Tamazirt deposit in the north and in the High Atlas offers more modest resources, but with interesting concentrations of thorium and niobium.
- The Targhat project, still in the exploration phase, is of particular interest with samples reaching record contents of 6.4% in rare earths.