Balkans Morocco lithium battery

Is the Mont Tropic underwater lithium deposit a threat to Morocco?

The Mont Tropic underwater lithium deposit, located near the border with Mauritania and the Canary Islands, is believed to be one of the largest strategic mineral reserves in Africa. Exploiting it would require mining groups prepared to take high geopolitical and environmental risks, even if these would necessarily be shared with Moroccan groups.

Does the Western Sahara have lithium & cobalt?

The Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), which Amina Benkhadra has helmed for more than two decades, has commissioned several studies of the region's subsoil. These have revealed that the Western Sahara has major reserves of lithium, nickel and cobalt, both on land and at sea.

Should Morocco lift the moratorium on underwater mining?

At the last International Seabed Authority (ISA) conference in Kingston, Jamaica from 24 to 28 July, Morocco was one of the African states most in favour of lifting the moratorium on underwater mining. A sign that the kingdom is interested in developing these strategic metal deposits off its southern coast.

Does the Moroccan subsoil contain cobalt?

The Canadian and his compatriot Marc-Antoine Audet - a geologist who has accompanied him on his West African adventures over the past decade (AI, 23/03/22) - are convinced that the Moroccan subsoil harbours many strategic metals, not just the cobalt mined from Bou Azzer, which Managem operates.

Who owns the Moroccan subsoil?

Until now, two local giants have reigned unchallenged over the Moroccan subsoil: OCP Group, the phosphates giant, which is 95% state owned, and Managem, a subsidiary of the royal holding company Al Mada, which produces gold, silver, cobalt, copper, zinc and lead, and is headed by Imad Toumi.