A recent gold discovery near Guelmim, in southern Morocco, is turning heads in the mining world. According to a briefing from DiscoveryAlert, an extensive network of exceptionally rich gold veins has been uncovered in the region’s ancient riverbeds. Geologists have mapped 34 quartz veins running in a northwest-southeast direction, stretching more than 100 meters underground and appearing on the surface with thicknesses ranging from 40 centimeters to 1.5 meters.
Preliminary samples taken from trenches and shallow pits show gold concentrations ranging from 6 to 300 grams per tonne. For context, anything above 10 grams per tonne is considered high-grade on a global scale. These numbers suggest that Guelmim could be home to one of the most significant gold finds in North Africa in recent years.
Morocco produced 6.8 tonnes of gold in 2022, according to the US Geological Survey. If this new deposit proves continuous and scalable, it could substantially boost national output.
The site sits within the Anti-Atlas mountain range, about 200 kilometers south of Agadir. The gold-bearing veins were formed by hydrothermal fluids filling cracks in the ancient Precambrian bedrock, aligned with major regional fault lines. The geological setting points to a mix of epithermal and mesothermal environments—typically associated with banded quartz, breccias, and alteration halos.
This concession also overlaps with the ancient Drâa River system, long known for its gold-rich alluvial deposits. The new discovery may finally explain the origin of those historic placers, pointing to a primary source of gold embedded deep in the underlying rock.
From a metallurgical standpoint, the gold appears in free form within the quartz and in association with sulfides—a favorable combination for conventional recovery methods. However, because the grade varies significantly from one section to another, selective mining techniques are likely to be prioritized.
DiscoveryAlert outlined a methodical approach behind the find, including geological mapping, systematic sampling from trenches and pits, and lab testing performed to industry standards. The protocol included quality control measures such as reference materials and duplicates.
The exploration is being led by OLAH Palace Trading, which holds the permits for the area and is pursuing a broader strategy involving not only gold but also copper, lithium, titanium, and rare earth elements. Odai Nabut, the company’s development lead, emphasized that the results reflect Morocco’s largely untapped mineral potential. The company also highlighted its technical and financial partnerships, along with a commitment to responsible development.
Next steps will include definition drilling, 3D resource modeling, and metallurgical testing to assess the deposit’s size and economic viability according to international standards. DiscoveryAlert noted that it typically takes five to ten years to move from discovery to production, depending on the complexity of the deposit and regulatory approvals.
Beyond the immediate excitement over gold, this discovery fits into a broader global push to diversify sources of critical minerals. Morocco’s location, modern infrastructure, and updated mining regulations—reformed in 2015—make it an increasingly attractive destination for investment, especially for countries seeking stable supply chains across Europe and the Atlantic.
