RABAT, Aug 17 – Canadian mining company Steadright Critical Minerals has secured a mining licence for its TitanBeach titanium project in Morocco, marking a significant step towards developing the mineral resource in the country’s southern Guelmim-Oued Noun region.
The licence covers an approved area of approximately 16 square kilometres near Tan-Tan and was granted through NSM Capital Sarl, in which Steadright holds a 76.5% stake. The approved area measures roughly four kilometres by four kilometres.
Steadright Chief Executive Officer Matt Lewis described the approval as significant because of the size and location of the mining area. In an interview with Mining IR, Lewis said, “There has never been a mining licence given on the beach into the water, ever, in the history of Morocco.”
The licensed area forms part of the wider TitanBeach project, which covers approximately 192 square kilometres. Exploration conducted in 2025 identified mineral sands that may contain ilmenite, titanomagnetite, magnetite, leucoxene and rutile, minerals associated with titanium and iron resources.
Exploration results reported by the company showed iron oxide (Fe2O3) concentrations of as much as 79.5%, while titanium dioxide (TiO2) values reached up to 14.9%.
Titanium is classified as a critical mineral by the United States, European Union and Canada because of its applications across defence, aerospace, healthcare and industrial manufacturing. Its combination of strength, relatively low weight and resistance to corrosion makes titanium particularly valuable in high-performance applications.
The mineral is primarily used in two forms. Titanium dioxide is widely used as a white pigment, while titanium metal is used in alloys designed to provide high strength and durability, including in aerospace applications.
Steadright said its immediate focus is to advance the project towards development. The next stages include obtaining an environmental licence and completing production planning before the company can move closer to commercial operations.
Dipl.-Ing. L. Jouak, chief executive officer of NSM Capital, said the licence provides a platform for further development. According to Jouak, it “provides the foundation for the next phase of development of a mineral development project of significant scale and, over the long term, creates substantial opportunities for investment, industrial development and the creation of sustainable value in Morocco.”
Steadright is also pursuing opportunities elsewhere in Morocco. The company has signed a binding memorandum of understanding for the historic Goundafa Mine, where it intends to undertake exploration. The mine ceased operations during the period of the French protectorate.
The TitanBeach licence adds to Morocco’s growing profile as a destination for critical-mineral exploration and development. For Steadright, the immediate challenge will be converting the exploration results into a commercially viable resource while securing the environmental and regulatory approvals required for development.
The company said the licence represents an important milestone for TitanBeach and provides a basis for further exploration and potential development of titanium- and iron-bearing mineral resources in Morocco.
