All terms, agencies and procedures of Morocco's mining sector explained simply. A reference base for decision-makers, investors and mining project leaders.
National Agency for Mining Activities.
ANAM oversees the delivery of mining titles in Morocco in coordination with ONHYM. All mining agreements and permits go through its administrative channels.
National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines
ONHYM is the Moroccan public body responsible for the prospection, research and exploitation of hydrocarbons and mineral substances. It holds the national mining cadastre and is the key contact for any mining title in Morocco.
Contract between the Moroccan State and an operator authorizing exploitation of a deposit.
The mining agreement formalizes rights and obligations between the State and the operator. It specifies the zone, duration, authorized minerals, royalties, environmental and reporting obligations. Its delivery depends on a complete file including the EIA.
Permission to prospect a mining deposit (prerequisite to exploitation).
The research permit authorizes technical prospecting of a zone to evaluate mineral reserves. Issued for 3 renewable years. It precedes the exploitation permit, which authorizes commercial extraction.
Permission to commercially extract a mining deposit.
Issued for 4 renewable years, the exploitation permit allows commencement of production. It requires a validated EIA and the filing of a financial guarantee. AMAY supports the transition from research to exploitation permit.
Mandatory regulatory study evaluating environmental impacts of a mining project.
The EIA is governed by law 12-03 in Morocco. It assesses impacts on soils, water, biodiversity, populations. Filed at CRI and validated by CREI. Without validated EIA, no exploitation agreement is delivered. Typical timeline: 2-6 months.
Regional one-stop shop for administrative procedures, including EIA.
The CRI is the proximity contact for EIA filings and many investment procedures in Morocco. It forwards files to CREI (Regional Impact Study Committee) for validation.
Committee that validates or rejects EIAs filed at CRI.
The CREI brings together representatives of regional administrations (Water, Mines, Environment, etc.) who examine EIAs and issue a favorable opinion, unfavorable opinion, or request additions.
Physico-chemical mineral separation process.
Flotation uses surface properties of minerals to separate useful minerals (gold, copper, cobalt, lead, zinc) from raw ore. A specific foam lifts target particles to the surface. It is the standard process for the majority of minerals processed in Morocco.
Complete audit (technical, administrative, financial) before a mining investment.
Before buying a mining title or investing in a mining company, DD validates: administrative compliance of the permit, technical reality of the deposit (reserves, geology), economic feasibility, operational risks. Essential for any serious mining investment in Morocco.
Modeling of material flows in a mineral processing unit.
Key step in designing a mining installation: we calculate how much raw ore enters, how it distributes across stages (crushing, grinding, flotation), and what leaves as concentrate + tailings. Determines sizing of each equipment.
Engineering firm specialized in the mining sector.
An engineering bureau like AMAY supports mining companies across the entire cycle: studies, design, installations, administrative procedures, asset management. AMAY has been active since 1981 in Beni Mellal.
Precious metal. Major concentrations in Anti-Atlas. High world price.
Strategic metal. Large deposits at Bouskour, Boumadine, Tighardine.
Critical battery metal. Morocco 3rd world producer (Bouazzer).
Steel + batteries. Imini, Bouarfa, Tachgaght.
Imiter mine (AYA Gold and Silver) is one of the largest silver mines worldwide.
Often paired with zinc. Polymetallic mines of Oriental and Anti-Atlas.
Galvanizing and alloys. Hajar, Draa Sfar mines.
Petroleum drilling mud. Morocco 3rd world exporter. Tafilalet region.
Chemical industry. El Hammam (Khénifra region) is emblematic.
Morocco 1st world holder of reserves (OCP). Not in AMAY scope (regulated separately).
AMAY has supported Moroccan mining companies since 1981 — studies, installations, EIA, due diligence, asset management.
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