Morocco Unveils Mining Sector Overhaul Plan Focused on Safety and Industrial Growth

Rabat, Dec 12, 2025 – Morocco has announced sweeping reforms to its mining sector, with Energy Transition Minister Leila Benali outlining a new framework designed to strengthen worker protections, streamline regulations, and integrate mining regions more deeply into the national economy.

The mining industry contributes nearly 10% of Morocco’s GDP, accounts for 20% of export value, and provides more than 40,000 direct jobs, underscoring its role as a cornerstone of economic growth.

New Legal Framework

At the heart of the overhaul is Bill 72-24, which replaces a previous draft withdrawn in 2021. Key provisions include:

• Worker safety protections, with the introduction of a professional card to guarantee miners’ rights.

• Simplified administrative procedures to reduce bureaucratic delays.

• Promotion of mineral processing to capture more value domestically.

• Establishment of a national committee for strategic minerals to guide policy and oversight.

Regional Integration

Benali emphasized that mining regions such as Tafilalet, Figuig, and Jerada will be integrated into the national strategy through modernization programs, technical support, and specialized industrial zones.

• In Jerada, a new digital platform will link coal miners directly to the domestic market, improving transparency and market access.

Digital Transformation and Governance

Looking ahead, Morocco plans to launch a national digital mining register in 2026, consolidating more than 240 procedures into a single platform. Another reform, Bill 56-24, will transform the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines into the National Office of Mining Industries, reflecting a broader shift toward industrial sovereignty.

Infrastructure and Sustainability

The strategy also includes:

• Infrastructure projects connecting Nador and Jorf Lasfar, strengthening logistics and export capacity.

• Recycling initiatives to recover mineral materials, aligning with Morocco’s sustainability and innovation agenda.

Strategic Implications

These reforms position Morocco to:

• Enhance governance and transparency in mining operations.

• Strengthen local supply chains and industrial integration.

• Advance worker rights and safety standards.

• Support industrial sovereignty by retaining more value from mineral resources.

By combining legal reform, digital transformation, and infrastructure investment, Morocco is signaling its intent to modernize mining governance while aligning the sector with national industrial and sustainability goals.