Morocco Emerges as Latest African Country to Discover High-Grade Gold
Morocco has made a breakthrough that could transform its role in Africa’s mining sector. The North African nation has confirmed the discovery of world-class gold deposits in its southern Guelmim region, a find that could catapult it into the ranks of the continent’s leading gold producers.
High-Grade Gold in Guelmim
Mining company OLAH Palace Trading reported that its exploration work uncovered 34 quartz veins containing gold grades of 6 to 30 grams per tonne (g/t). Globally, deposits above 10 g/t are considered high-grade, placing this discovery among the most promising in recent years.
Preliminary resource estimates suggest that the site could hold between 3 million and 5 million ounces of gold, a dramatic upgrade from Morocco’s current annual output of just over 100 kilograms from the Tiouit mine in Tinghir province.
According to African Mining Market, the assays and sampling results confirm the Guelmim project’s potential to reshape Morocco’s mining landscape. Specialist platform Discovery Alert described the find as “exceptional,” highlighting its potential to attract international investment and accelerate Morocco’s emergence as a gold powerhouse.
Morocco’s Current Gold Profile
Until now, Morocco has been a minor player in Africa’s gold market, exporting $27.7 million worth of gold in 2023, according to OECD data. That year, its top buyers included:
- Turkey – $16.8 million
- Switzerland – $6.56 million
- Italy – $3.38 million
- United Arab Emirates – $1.04 million
- Germany – $13,600
Globally, Morocco ranked 120th in gold exports, with the metal serving as its 133rd most exported product. The new discovery, if fully developed, could drastically improve that position.
Geological Significance
Experts note that the Guelmim veins are classic hydrothermal deposits, typical of epithermal to mesothermal systems. They feature banded quartz, brecciation, and alteration halos. Importantly, the gold occurs both as free particles and within sulfide minerals, a structure that could enable relatively efficient recovery.
“This discovery validates what we’ve long believed about Morocco’s untapped mining resources,” said Odai Nabut, Head of Business Development at OLAH Palace Trading. He emphasized that the company’s strategy focuses on responsible development and strategic partnerships to build long-term value.
A Turning Point for Morocco’s Mining Sector
The Guelmim discovery comes at a time when Morocco is diversifying its economy and seeking to strengthen its role in Africa’s resource markets. If fully exploited, the deposits could:
- Position Morocco among Africa’s top gold producers
- Boost national export revenues
- Attract fresh foreign investment
- Create new employment opportunities in the mining sector
For a country that has so far played only a modest role in global gold supply, this find could mark a historic turning point, reshaping both Morocco’s economy and its standing within Africa’s resource-rich economies.
