RABAT, Feb 20 – Morocco has launched a large scale mining tender covering about 13,000 square kilometers in the Tafilalet and Figuig region, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development said.
The public call for competition offers 361 exploration blocks, representing about 22 percent of the total mining area in the region, according to the ministry. The area is located in the south eastern part of the country near the Algerian border.
The tender includes deposits of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc and barite, among other minerals. Authorities said companies can apply for rights to explore and develop these resources under defined conditions.
The ministry introduced a multi criteria evaluation system for the tender. It said applications will be assessed based on technical and financial capacity, as well as social and economic impact, health and safety standards, and environmental compliance.
In addition, the ministry requires companies to use land and natural resources efficiently, with a focus on water and energy use. It encouraged the adoption of renewable energy and circular economy practices, including waste reduction and material reuse.
The tender also provides incentives for projects that combine renewable energy, storage systems and value added processing. Authorities said project selection will follow environmental, social and governance standards adopted under the Marrakech Declaration of November 2025.
The ministry said the initiative follows consultations with industry stakeholders and aligns with national mining regulations, including Law No 33 13 and Law No 74 15 governing the Tafilalet and Figuig mining regions.
Interested companies must submit applications by May 15, 2026 as submissions will be received at regional offices in Errachidia for projects in the Drâa Tafilalet area and in Oujda for projects in the Oriental region.
