The Moroccan government is undertaking a comprehensive revision of its mining code to modernize the sector, enhance investment opportunities, and ensure responsible resource management.
Led by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the reform aims to streamline licensing procedures, increase transparency, and improve access to investment opportunities while ensuring environmental and social responsibility.
The bill establishes a technical committee to oversee strategic and critical minerals, ensuring secure access to raw materials essential for industrial and technological development. The reform simplifies licensing procedures, allowing private companies to obtain permits to develop minerals without the need for prior exploration or exploitation permits.
The law prioritizes local employment, worker training, and the use of locally manufactured products. It also mandates the rehabilitation of mining sites and requires companies to submit plans for environmental protection and social impact mitigation. The bill introduces a robust national mining cadastre to enhance transparency and track licenses and concessions. It also strengthens penalties for illegal mining activities, including fines for unauthorized prospecting and exploitation.
The reform also prohibits government officials involved in licensing from acquiring mining rights during their term of office, ensuring ethical and transparent governance within the sector.
This comprehensive reform aligns with the objectives of Morocco’s National Development Model and reflects the directives of King Mohammed VI. By modernizing the mining sector, Morocco aims to unlock its full potential as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
MK/Sf/ac/fss/abj/APA