Morocco’s Cobalt Frontier Emerges As a Strong Contender

• Morocco’s cobalt sector is evolving with Catalyst Mines’ Amassine project.
• Tracy Hughes emphasizes Morocco’s role in addressing cobalt supply risks.
• The Amassine Project holds the potential to surpass Bou Azzer’s output.
• Historic Bou Azzer mine currently dominates Morocco’s production landscape.
• A significant refinery investment is scheduled to begin production in 2025.
• Trade agreements support Morocco in diversifying the cobalt supply chain.

Morocco’s Cobalt Sector Set for Evolution

Morocco’s cobalt sector is experiencing a significant transformation as Catalyst Mines Inc. picks up the pace in cobalt exploration and production. The emerging Amassine Project, located near the village of Amassine, is attracting attention with its promising findings of mineralization that could surpass previous cobalt operations in the region. Tracy Hughes, Executive Director of the Critical Minerals Institute, noted that any cobalt sourced from Morocco could reshape the dynamics of the global battery supply, addressing some of the risks associated with over-reliance on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for this critical mineral.

Catalyst Mines Aims to Bridge Production Gap

Historically, Morocco’s cobalt narrative has centered around the Bou Azzer mine, a site that has been operational since 1929, primarily known for its high-grade cobalt output. Despite its respectable output of about 1,500 tonnes of cobalt annually, it remains dwarfed by the sheer scale of the DRC’s cobalt production. Meanwhile, Catalyst Mines has positioned itself to take advantage of a more expansive mineralization at the Amassine Project, where the initial geochemical studies showed significant deposits of cobalt along with chrome and nickel that promise a variety of revenue streams from the mining operation.

Infrastructure and Partnerships Are Key to Success

Beyond geology, the project’s viability will depend on metallurgical processing, infrastructure, and regulatory policy, and Morocco is making strides on these fronts. A cobalt-sulphate refinery, backed by a substantial $100 million investment from Managem, is set to create substantial capacity for processing cobalt by 2025. With agreements in place regarding trade with the EU and the United States, Morocco is emerging as a significant player in diversifying the global cobalt supply chain, potentially shifting the West’s reliance away from the African supply chain centered on the Congo and Indonesia.

In summary, Morocco’s cobalt ambitions are coming to the forefront as Catalyst Mines pushes for production at the Amassine Project. The potential for Morocco to become a leading cobalt producer is heightened by both historical context and current investments in infrastructure. Additionally, as global demand for cobalt escalates, particularly for electric vehicle production, Morocco is positioning itself as a reliable partner to the West, aligning with ESG principles and seeking to reshape the global cobalt supply landscape.