Morocco commit to new sustainable mining corridor
The government of Morocco has announced its commitment to sustainable and cooperative mining practices. The country’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali made the announcement during the 4th International Mining Ministers Meeting in Riyadh.
Highlighting Morocco’s strategic vision, Benali introduced the proposed “OTC Corridor” framework, which focuses on Origin, Transit, and Certification as pillars for fostering environmentally conscious and competitive mining.
Key Elements of the OTC Corridor include: leveraging advanced systems and frameworks to enhance mining productivity while ensuring eco-friendly practices, reducing barriers to the transport of raw materials, streamlining global trade in the sector and enforcing strict environmental and social governance standards to mitigate the ecological and social impacts of mining.
Critical mineral reserves
Benali underscored the continent’s substantial share of global critical mineral reserves—55% of cobalt, 47.65% of manganese, and 5.9% of copper—but noted that Africa captures only 40% of potential revenues. This shortfall stems from deficiencies in value addition, governance, and infrastructure. She called for enhanced responsible mining practices that safeguard labor rights, especially child protection.
The meeting, attended by officials from 85 countries and international organizations, celebrated advancements such as the establishment of three regional Centers of Excellence, including one at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. These centers aim to drive regional expertise in sustainable mining practices. Benali concluded with Morocco’s readiness to partner with global stakeholders to transform the mining sector, ensuring economic growth aligns with social and environmental responsibilities.
