Faith Nyasuguta
Morocco has taken a bold step toward joining Africa’s top gold producers after confirming the discovery of exceptionally rich deposits in the country’s southern Guelmim region. The find could dramatically reshape Morocco’s mining industry, boost exports, and strengthen its role in Africa’s resource economy.
The breakthrough was announced by OLAH Palace Trading, which revealed that mining professionals had identified 34 gold-bearing quartz veins across its Guelmim project site. What makes this discovery particularly striking is the quality of the deposits. Assay results from trench and shaft sampling revealed concentrations ranging from 6 grams per tonne to 30 grams per tonne – figures well above the global high-grade threshold of 10 g/t.
Specialist platform Discovery Alert hailed the find as “exceptional,” noting that few deposits worldwide match such grades. Preliminary estimates suggest the potential for 3 to 5 million ounces of gold, a volume that could catapult Morocco into the ranks of Africa’s leading gold producers. For a country whose current annual production is just over 100 kilograms – mostly from the Tiouit mine in Tinghir province – the scale of this discovery represents a seismic shift.
A Boost For Morocco’s Mining Future
Morocco has long been known for its rich deposits of phosphates, copper and silver, but gold has played only a minor role in its mining economy. According to OECD data, Morocco exported $27.7 million worth of gold in 2023, ranking 120th globally. Its main buyers were Turkey ($16.8M), Switzerland ($6.56M), Italy ($3.38M), the UAE ($1.04M), and Germany ($13.6K).
This modest position could change dramatically if the Guelmim estimates are confirmed. By comparison, Africa’s current leaders – South Africa, Ghana, Sudan, and Mali – produce millions of ounces annually, underpinning their mining-driven economies. Morocco’s new discovery, therefore, not only promises to increase national output but also to elevate its standing on the continental stage.
Geology & Recovery Potential
Mining experts describe the Guelmim deposits as classic hydrothermal quartz veins associated with epithermal to mesothermal systems. Geological features such as banded quartz, brecciation, and alteration halos confirm the site’s world-class character. Importantly, gold occurs both as free particles and alongside sulfide minerals, a structure that could allow relatively straightforward recovery compared to more complex deposits.
“This discovery validates what we’ve long believed about Morocco’s untapped resources,” said Odai Nabut, Head of Business Development at OLAH Palace Trading. The company has pledged to pursue a strategy focused on responsible development, long-term value creation, and strategic partnerships with both local and international players.
A New Frontier In North Africa
The discovery has already generated buzz across the African mining sector, with analysts calling it one of the most promising gold finds in North Africa in recent years. Beyond immediate economic benefits, the find could attract significant foreign investment, create jobs, and spur the development of mining infrastructure in southern Morocco.
If future exploration confirms the preliminary estimates, Morocco could transition from a marginal player to a central figure in Africa’s gold industry. For a country strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, the timing could not be better.
For now, Morocco stands at the threshold of a new era. From a modest exporter ranking far down the global table, it now has the chance to break into Africa’s gold powerhouses – reshaping not only its mining industry but also its economic identity.
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