Red Rock Mining plans to spend 200m dirhams ($20m) over the next five years to explore for copper, gold, silver, lead and zinc in the Western Anti-Atlas. The company is focusing on two projects, Akka and Adrar Oumlal, where recent drilling has found signs of mineralisation.
Drilling at Akka has confirmed several copper-bearing structures. More drilling and exploration work will now look at how large and deep these deposits are.
Exploration at Adrar Oumlal has also found copper, as well as signs of gold, silver, lead and zinc. The results have helped identify new areas for further drilling.
Red Rock Mining has 25 mining licences covering the two areas. The planned investment will fund geological, geophysical and geochemical studies, as well as more drilling.
The company now wants to move from early exploration to a clearer estimate of the mineral resources at both projects. Resource estimates using international standards will help determine the projects’ potential.
The investment could also create jobs and support training for Moroccan workers in mining. The company plans to use local contractors and service providers where possible.
Red Rock Mining has also expanded its operations in the south by setting up Idelsane Mining SA in the Ouarzazate region.
The subsidiary will manage mining projects and work on developing mineral deposits in the area.
The next stage will depend on the results of further exploration and drilling. These results will show whether the mineral deposits at Akka and Adrar Oumlal are large enough and economically viable to develop.
