The Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development (MTEDD) has launched a large-scale Public Call for Competition (PCC) concerning the allocation of mining interest zones in the regions of Tafilalet and Figuig. Published under notice no. 1/DGMH/2026, this initiative encompasses 361 zones, covering nearly 13,000 km², or about 1.3 million hectares. This represents the largest operation of its kind ever undertaken in this region, accounting for nearly 22% of its total mining area.
Beyond the geographical scale, this call signifies a profound shift in the approach to mining development in Morocco. For the first time, the ministry adopts a multicriteria evaluation framework that incorporates not only the technical and financial capacities of operators but also their local socio-economic impact as well as strict adherence to health and safety standards.
The PCC also introduces enhanced sustainability requirements. Candidates are encouraged to optimize land and natural resource use, particularly water and energy, by prioritizing renewable energy sources, streamlining raw materials, and adhering to circular economy principles. An incentive mechanism is also in place: a bonus will be granted to projects proposing an integrated model of sustainable mining, combining renewable energies, storage technologies, and resource recovery.
This new approach directly aligns with the implementation of the Marrakech Declaration of November 24, 2025, adopted during the International Mining Congress of Morocco. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles are now fully integrated as structural criteria in the allocation of mining zones.
The Tafilalet and Figuig regions hold strategic mineral potential, including gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, barite, and other substances listed in the technical annex of the call. The stated goal is to maximize the valuation of these resources while ensuring responsible and inclusive development for the benefit of the affected territories.
Interested operators are invited to submit their applications by May 15, 2026, at 4:30 PM. Applications should be submitted to the regional directorates of the Energy Transition Department in Errachidia for areas located in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, and in Oujda for those within the Oriental region.
The official notice is available in Arabic and French on the ministry’s website (www.mem.gov.ma). Any requests for additional information or clarification can be sent electronically to the following address: [email protected].
Through this initiative, the MTEDD reaffirms its commitment to making the mining sector a lever for sustainable growth, balancing economic attractiveness, natural resource protection, and territorial development within one of the most strategic mining regions of the Kingdom.