ECONOMIC - MINING, MINERAL RESOURCES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700210259-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 23
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 10, 2002
• Sequence Number: 259
• Publication Date: April 1, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

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CENTRAL Iffi'MiU .N O,
INFORMATION FROM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS
COUNTRY
SUBJECT
HOW
PUBLISHED
WHERE
PUBLISHED
DATE
PUBLISHED
LANGUAGE
French Morocco
Economic - Mining, mineral resources
Weekly newspaper
Casablanca
27 Sep - 29 Nov 1952
r? s oocw..r co.r?r.a r r ..?rra. ur.cn.c r?..?noos on.a.
or'r?r u.rno sr?ru. .n?~., r?[run uc or rnu u. acnoa r.a
..o .... .r r?[ u. s. coo., ? . [FD processing 100,000 tons of
ore annually. If necessary, this output can be doubled.
French Moroccan Manganese Output and Exports in 1951
The French Moroccan manganese ore output and exports in 1951. were as follows
(in tons);
Mining Concern
Societe des Mines de
Bou Arfa
Societe Cherifieune des
Etudes Minierea
Omtium de Gerance Induetrielle
et Miniere ('1)
Compagnl.e de Tifnout-Tirana
Societe Miniere du Sahro-Ougmer (*2)
Societe Cherifi.enne des Mines (*3)
Societe Miniere des Ait Saoun (*4)
Craig Stanton & C ?apany
Bou Arfa 66,074 56,444
Narguechoun 6,172 5,461
Imini 98,644 17,639
Tizgui and
Lilane
34,598
3,501
1,175
520
8,005
34,371
3,009
Societe Cherifienne des Etudes
Minieres
10,796 12,483 (*5)
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Sahro Ougmer Mining Company
Sherifian Mining Company
Ait Saoun Mining Company
This figure includes stocks on hand from the previous year
Other Deposits
Less important French Moroccan manganese deposits are located at the
following places:
1. Taskrem, where the ore reserves are estimated at 300,000 tons. The
ore here hat a high lead content.
2. M'Koussa, where development work has been under way for 3 years.
3. Anti Atlas Mountains (at Tifferine, Tisgui, hilane, Tadgagalt, and
Backoum), where the ore is of good quality but its known resurvee are limited.
Exploitation of these deposits is hampered a great deal by the problem of
transportation. (2)
Ore Deposits
The only known cobalt deposits in French Morocco have been discovered in
the Pre-Cambrian formations of Bou Azzer and Graara, in the Anti-Atlas Mountains,
near Ouarzazate. At present, only the Bou Azzer and Aghbar deposits are being
worked.
In contrast to Congolese cobalt, which is found together with copper and is
produced only as a by-product, the cobalt found tit Bou Azzer consists essentially
of smaltite and amounts to 1.5 percent of the ore. Iron and nickel are also pres-
ent In this ore, but in very small amounts (never more than one fourth of the
cobalt content, except in rare cases). According to Edouard Lavergne of the
Chambre Syndicale des Industries Minieree du Maroc (Syndical Chamber of the Mining
Industries of Morocco), the cobalt ore found at Bou Azzer also contains gold at
the rate of between 50 and 100 grams per ton.
The marketable ore is graded and enriched up to a 12-percent cobalt content.
It is exported from the port of Casablanca, which is located more than 500 kilo-
meters from the mining sites. It is transported by truck from the mines to
Marrakech and by railroad from there to Casablanca.
Exploitation of the Bou Azzer cobalt deposit entails a high cost of trans-
portation, which, added to equipment and exploration expenses, brings the price
of the marketed product above prevailing world market prices. In 1948, one ton
of cobalt ore (cobalt content, 12 percent) sold for 72,000 francs, FOB Casablanca,
or 600 francs for every kilogram of cobalt metal contained in the ore.
Such high prices obviously hamper exports, and as a result, some prospective
markets are lost to French Moroccan cobalt. Nevertheless, the cobalt ore output
at Boaz Az2or amounted to 1 ,225 tons (?et~~ co_tent' 6R8 ton,) + 1951, _- _-__
pared with 3,500 in 1950 (metal content, 421 tons). The 1951 output was sufficient
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to meet French demands in Hill and even to export a certain amount to the US.
To increase its output, the Bou Azzer mine was granted an ECA loan, payable in
cobalt ore, and to be used to finance new mining equipment.
It is hoped that adequate practical measures will be adopted soon to
remove the mineral ores of southern Morocco from the mining sites to the ports.
More railroad and telpher railroad facilities are badly needed for marketing
French Moroccan cobalt, manganese, and other minerals.
Technical Data on Bou Azzer Mine
In 1938, the Bou Azzer mine ranked third in the world from the standpoint
of production capacity. Its record prewar month was June 1939, when an output
of boo tone of ore was registered. During the war and subsequent years, produc-
tion dropped considerably, until it regained its normal prewar level in 1950.
Part of the ore produced is shipped to the Societe d'Electro-Chimie d'Ugine
(Ugine Electrochemical Company) in France; the remainder goes to Canada for
refining and subsequent export to the US.
The Bou Azzer mine extends for about 40 kilometers and contains 80
known veins. Vein No 7 alone, considered as the most important contains an
estimated 150,000 tons of ore (cobalt metal content, 3,000 tons).
Meanwhile, it is anticipated that in the very near future, the Bou Azzer
mine will produce ].0,000 tons of marketable cobalt ore (metal content, 12 percent)
annually. It has already increased its productive ca acity considerably by
the following means: (a) a gravimetric wash plant; (b) a flotation installation;
(c) modernization of operating methods; (d) opening of a second mining site;*
and (e) an equipment program which has been under way for several years.
Production and Export Data
French Moroccan cobalt ore (metal content, 12 percent) production from
1932 to 1951 was as follows (in tons):
Year
1932
566
1933
600
1934
1,618
1935
.4,163
1936
?3,372
1937
,5,283
1.938
.6,541
1940
5,212
1941
584
1942
21
1943
1,966
1944
2,030
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Year
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
Volume
894
1,693
2,649
2,094
1,739
3,509
6,255
During the first half of 1952, production amounted to 5,322 tons (metal
content, 576 tons). Stocks of mined ore on hand at the end of June 1952'
amounted to 1,818 tons, as compared with 1,417 at the end of December 1951.
The Aubed, Tamdrost, Ait Arcane, and Irtem deposits, which were being
actively exploited before the war, have now been abandoned.
According to customs and the Direction de la Production Industrielle
et des Mines (Directorate of Industrial and Mining Production), French
Moroccan cobalt ore exports in --cent years were as follows (in tons): 6,594
in 1999 (including 4,692 to Belgium and 1,838 to France), 1,566 in 1947 (1,355
to Belgium and 211 to France), 3,656 in 1948 (1,987 to Belgium) 1,150 to France,
and 319 to Canada), 1,563 in 1949 (1,504 to France and 159 to Belgium), and
1+,551 in 1950 (1,685 to France and 2,866 to Canada). During the first half of
1952, exports totaled 5,182 tons; they should amount to 10,000 by the end of 1952.
It is very encouraging to note in this connection that 5 years ego, French
Moroccan cobalt ore production for 1952 was estimated at only 6,000 tons. (3)
Djerada Deposit
The only coal deposit now being exploited in French Morocco is at Djerada,
58 kilometers southwest of Oujda. It is an anthracite deposit containing 85
percent carbon, 10 percent ash, and 5 percent volatile substances. The coal is
easy to wash, but it contains a rather large amount (50-55 percent) of fines. The
deposit was discovered by the Societe Cherifienne des Charbonnages de Djerada
(Sherifian Coal Mining Company of Djerada), which worked it until the war. Since
then, it has been exploited by the Charbonnages Nord-Africains (North African Coal
Mining Company), a semiprivate firm whose principal stockholders are the Sherifian
State, the French Republic, and the owners of the Societe Cherifienne des Chan
bonnages de Djerada.
The known carboniferous formations of the Djerada deposit extend 40 kilometers
from north to east and 10 kilometers from north to south. Among them is a lower
group of coal beds, between 40 and 70 centimeters thick. These are the only beds
being worked at present. There are three workable basins (North Basin, South
Basin, and Central Basin), separated by swells which run more or less along an
east-west axis.
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On the basis of the results of past and present prospecting operations, the
total coal reserves of the Djerada deposit are estimated at 90 million tons. Of
this total, 15 million tons are in the North Basin and its offshoots (the Sidi
Brahim basins) and 70 million tons in the South Basin and its offshoots.
North Basin
Thus far, only the North Basin has been exploited on a continuing basis.
During the past 20 years, it has yielded more than 2 million tons of coal. Its
anthracite beds outcrop along its borders. Their maximum depth in the center
never exceeds 150 meters. They slope gently in the northern section of the
deposit and more sharply in the southern section. Coal is extracted in the center
of the basin through a 150-meter-deep shaft and by wines along its borders.
Until recently, the coal mined in the North Basin was removed by a 22-kilo-
meter telpher railroad and transported by the Oujda Bou Arfa railroad to the
Guenfouda wash plant, whose present annual capacity is approximately 300,000
tons. The telpher railroad will be replaced by a regular railroad, which required
the construction of a tunnel, more than 13 kilometers long, completed in 1951?
Meanwhile, the present installations at Guenfouda will be expanded or replaced
by others capable of greater output.
A concentration plant produces briquettes for the Chemins de Fer Marocains
(Moroccan Railroads) and egg coal for ordinary consumption. Both these products
consist of a mixture of Djerada anthracite and pit coal from the Kenatza Basin,
Oran Department (Algeria).
South and Central Basins
Until 1939, coal production at Djerada averaged 100,000 tons annually. A
maximum of 1.25,000 tons was attained in 1938. The North Basin could easily
satisfy all local demands. Moreover, comparatively low-priced imported coal of
excellent quality was available. However, during the war, French Morocco had
to rely almost entirely on its awn resources. As a result, an attempt was made
to increase coal production et Djerada. The prewar coal output was increased by
40 percent, and by 1941, production had been raised to about 140,000 tons per
year. During 1946 and 1947, the world coal shortage became acute, and to meet
the requirements of its industrialization program, French Morocco had to draw
even more heavily on its coal resources. In the framework of the FrencL Moroccan
long-range equipment plan, the Charbonnages Nord-Africains worked out a program
intended to increase annual coal production at Djerada to 600,000 tons in 1952.
Since the North Basin alone obviously could not meet these requirements, it
became necessary also to exploit the South and Central basins, which up to that
time had not been tapped. Moreover, the Charbonnages Nord-Africains was not
unprepared to work these two basins, because the question had been under consid-
eration since 1936. Today, a new mining center is being established at Hassi
Blabe in the South Basin. It will be even more important than that of the North
Basin. It will have, inter alia, a 450-meter shaft, which has alrady been com-
pleted. Another shaft will be built in the eastern offshoot of the South Basin,
which, in 1.954, will replace the North Basin, whose reserves by then will have
been completely depleted. Meanwhile, some vinzes are being built in the Central
Basin.
It is estimated that within 3 years, the entire potential of the Djerada
deposit will begin to be exploited, with the coal output increusing steadily and
progressively from year to year.
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Anthracite production at Djerada from 1930 to 1951 was as follows (in tons):
Year volume
1930 960
1931 5,665
1932 14,963
1933 27,279
1934 36,071
1935 52,696
1936 49,387
1937 107,150
1938 141,050
1939 115,000
1940 143,500
1941 139,874
1942 118,102
1943 102,292
1944 134,0300-
1945 178,900
1946 221,750
191+7 268,500
1948 290,100
1949 341,417
1950 367,900
1951 393,900
During the Piret half of 1952, production came to 224,400 tons of washed coal,
including 217,800 tons ready for sale. During the period in Question, the average
daily yield per pit worker was 515 kilograms, as compared with 494 in 1951 and 470
in 1950 (official statistics).
About half of D~erada'e output is exported, for the most part to Algeria,
Italy, and France. Meanwhile, increased domestic output of other sources of paver
(electric power and liquid fuels., in particular) has ei,abled French Morocco to
reduce considerabl-' its imports of high-grade corl from the US and Germany. The
time will soon come when French Morocco will be self-sufficient in solid fuels.
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In 1950, 3,713 pit workers and 2,050 surface workers at Djerada produced
367.900 tons of anthracite, including 356,000 for immediate sale and the remainder
for delivery in concentrated form (mixed with F:enadza pit coal). Anthracite ex-
ports totaled 162,000 tons, including 77,100 to Algeria, 11,800 to Tunisia, and
20,600 to France.
In 1951, 3,632 pit workers and 2,295 surface workers mined 393,900 tons of
anthracite, including 379,700 ready for immediate sale and the remainder for use
in the production of concentrates. Exports totaled 213,218 tons, including
61,761 to Algeria, 57,037 to Italy, 30,415 to France, 20,640 to Belgium, 11,452
to Yugoslavia, and 10,145 to the Netherlands.
French Moroccan coal consumption in 1950 came to 327,900 tons (including
121,900 tons of imports), distributed as follows: electric power plants, 80,000;
railroads, 26,000; cement factories, 53,600; sugar mills, 21,100; phosphate plants,
26,300; and others 120,900. Coal consumption in 1950 was less than in 1949,
when 340,000 tons were consumed, owing to increased electrification of the rail-
roads. On the other hrnd, in 1950, power plants and cement factories increased
their coal consumption to a considerable extent. Of the 121,900 tons of co:l
imported in 1950, 47,900 came from Germany; 31,800, from the US; 22,400, from
Great Britain; and 18,000,from Algeria.
In 1951, French Moroccan coal consumption totaled 334,500 tone (including
12b,(00 -tons of imports), distributed as follows: electric power plants, 83,000;
railroads, 25,700; cement factories, 60,500; sugar mills, 15,000; phosphate plants,
24,000; and others 126,300. Imports included 74,000 tons from the US, 27,300 from
Algeria, and 15,000 from France.
During the first half of 1952, French Morocco expos t' d 81,600 tons of coal,
of which 27,000 tons went to France and 33,000 to Algeria. Meanwhile, imports
amounted to 102,000 tons, including 38,400 from the US, 9,600 from Great Britain,
1,400 from Algeria, and 2,400 from Germany.
At present, French Morocco lists France, Algeria, Tunisia, the Netherlands,
Portugal, Czechoslovakia, the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union, Yugoslavia, and
Israel among its coal customers. Other countries (Spain, for one) soon will join
this group.
Latest Coal Discovery
Recent explorations made by the BRPM (Bureau des Recherches Minieres du
Protectorat, Mining Exploration Bureau of the Protectorate fof French Morocc])
in the eastern extension of the Djerada deposit have uncovered a new coal basin,
known as the Tiouli Basin, and located between the railroads and highway between
Oujda and Bou Arfa. It is too early, however, to estimate the reserves of this
new basin. (4)
A recent estimate places French Morocco's lead arxi zinc ore reserves at
1,500,000 tons of lead and one million tons of zinc. However, these figures
very likely will be increased as a result of extenstvw explorations made during
the past few years and still going on. In eastern M-r*rm, fur a Amnl .~ o ne~
lead and zinc ore-bearing area is being prospected. It contains about one million
tons of lead. Zinc there is found in the form of blende in conjunction with galena.
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AF exploitatior.; of these deposits continues, the blende content is found to be
ever greater. It is now certain that within a few months, blende production will
be equal to or even greater than lead production.
From the geological standpoint, French Morocco has three types of lead and
ore deposits, as follows:
2. Replacement deposits in the calcite and dolomite formations of the
Jurassic and Cretaceous systems.
Importance of Replacement Deposits
French Morocco is particularly interested in its replacement of lead and ore
deposits because they account for three-fourths of local production. Except in
the event of discovery of substantial reserves in the Devonian formations of its
Saharen area and in the vein deposits of the Taouz region, French Morocco's
greatest hopes for lead production lie in its replacement deposits among the
Lias formations in the Oujda-Azilal-Figuig triangle. The vel7-known Mibladen
deposit of the Societe des Mines d'Aouli (Aouli Mining Company) is located in
this region, near Midelt.
Equally rich in lead deposits are the laver strata of the Jurassic Basin,
extending from the area northeast of Midelt to the French Moroccan-Algerian
border. There are two main lead-bearing centers as follows: (a) Bou Beker,
e loi.ted by the Societe des Mines de Zellidja (Zellidja Mining Company); and
(b Touissit. owned by the Compagnie Royale Asturienne des Mines (Royal Asturian
Mining Company).. Both of these centers are located south of Oujda.
The calcite formations of the Great Atlas Mountains also contain many deposits,
the most important of which is that of Bou Daher, which is located on the Aissa
Wadi, about 50 kilometers northeast of Bou Denib, and is worked by the Societe
Miniere du Haut Guir (Upper Guir Mining Company).
Vein Deposits
The vein deposits are found for the most part in schistous terrain. The
primary vein system of the Aouli mines is located at Midelt, only a few kilometers
from the Mibladen replacement deposit. The central section of the Great Atlas
Mountains, south of Marrakech, contains the Ouichedden deposits, which are exploited
by the Societe Miniere de Gundafa (Gundafa Mining Company); the Assif el Mal de-
posits near Arnuzmir; and the Erdouz deposits, located on the northern slope of the.
Tizi. N'Test Mountains.
More or less important lead and zinc deposits are also located in many other
regions, including the following: Rehauma, between Marrakech and Settat; Djebilet;
central Morocco; Tazekka (Rahal el Larbi; Sidi bou Othmane, 30 kilometers nurth
of Marrakech; .Ajebel el Aouan, a few kilometers north of Khenifra; and Djebel Chiker,
10 kilometers south of Taza).
Aside from the Aouli Mines, lead and zinc vein deposits in French Morocco are
less well known and appear to have smaller reserves than the replacement deposits.
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Postwar Output of Lead Mines
After a period of stagnation during the last war, a sharp increase in activity
has taken place in the French Moroccan lead mines since 1947. Some statistics on
marketable lead ore (70-percent metal content) production follow (in tons):
Year volume
1930 7,404
1936 10,260
1940 30,739
1945 15,451
194b 15,301
1947 29,162
1948 39,183
1949 60,000
1950 65,874*
*Containing 48,213 tone of metal
in 1951, marketable lead ore production amounted to 93,180 tons, containing
68.1.84 tons of metal. During 1952, it amounted to 54,396 tons, containing 41,784
tons of metal. July 1952 production came to 9,696 tons of ore, containing 7,033
tons of metal.
Exports amounted to 51,902 tone in 1950 and 54,454 in 1951, according to
official. statistics published in the 1951 special annual issue of Conjoncture
Eennomique Marocaine.
According to th.: estimates of French Morocco's long-range equipment program,
lead production should exceed 110,000 annually by 1953.
Principal Deposits
In 1951, t2n Bou Beker & -Wait yielded 38,000 tons of lead ore (74 percent metal
content), 35,000 tons of which were sent to the Quad el Reimer foundry, ann 30,000
tons of zinc ore (54 percent metal content). There are two wash plants which treat
a total of about 3,500 tons of ungraded ore daily. New equipment to be installed
is expected to increase this output to 4,500 tons daily. In terms of marketable
ore, the reserves of the Bou Beker deposit are estimated at 850,000 tons of lead
and one million tons of zinc.
In 1951, the Touissit deposit yielded 18,000 tons of marketable lead concen-
trates (70-percent metal content) and 1,000 tons of zinc ore (37-percent metal
content),. In terms of concentrates, the reserves of this deposit are estimated
at 100,000 tons of lead and 30,000 tons of zinc.
Also, in 1951, the Aouli vein deposit and the Mibladin mine yielded 17,000
tons of lead ore concentrates (75-percent metel content).
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During the same period, the Bou Dahar deposits yielded 3,300 tons of lead
ore concentrates (72-percent metal content). The reserves of these deposits are
estimated at 60,000 tons of marketable ore concentrates.
Meanwhile, the Rehamna deposits of the Societe Miniere de 1'Atlas de Taouz
(Taouz Atlas Mining Company) yielded about 1,800 tons of lead ore concentrates
(50-percent metal content).
Other deposits worthy of note are the 0uicheddem and Djebilet vein deposits
in the Marrakech region; the Bab Cedre and Djebel Tazzeka vein deposits in the
Taza region; and the Goulmena and Naar el Souk replacement deposits, which are
still under exploration.
Foundries
Until recent years, all the French Moroccan lead ore concentrates were exported
to French and Tunisian (Megrine) foundries. Paradoxically, French Morocco had to
import she soft lead it needed, particularly from Tunisia. Confronted with this
situation, the Pennaroya and Zellidja companies established the Duel el Heimer
foundry, equipped with Newman furnaces, which began operations in 1947. It pro-
duced 9,600 tons of industrial lead in 1949 and 12,096 in 1950. Since then, the
foundry's capacity has been doubled by the construction of a Dwight Lloyd hearth.
Already, an annual output of between 60,000 and 80,000 tons is foreseen. A lead-
refining and silver-removing shop was put in operation in January 1951. (5)
At present, French Morocco does not produce large quantities of copper. Thus
far, explorations have not yielded the results that bad been hoped for. Neverthe-
less, there is copper to he found in French Morocco, although the known deposits
are generally considered as too meager for exploitation on an industrial scale.
During the war, owing to the failure of copper imports, the government encouraged
exploitation of local resources, particularly with a view to producing copper
sulfate, which is absolutely indispensable for French Moroccan agriculture. Local
production, which was next to nothing in 1940, totaled 9,200 tons of copper ore
concentrates (containing 2,500 tons of metal) during the lriod 1941-1949, prin-
cipally accounted for by the Azegour mines. However, in 1950, with the return of
normal import conditions, these mines suspended operations, largely because their
production costs were too high.
Many new copper prospecting operations are now under way in the Atlas Moun-
tains, notably in the Djebel Sahro area. The best results have been obtained in
the Bou Skour vein, 30 kilometers southeast of Skoura, where the reserves of un-
graded ore are estimated at 1,250,000 tons, with a 2.5 percent copper metal con-
tent. The necessary capital is being currently collec.ad to finance a mining com-
pany to exploit these resources. Infcrraatien is not yet available on the e:-tent
and potentialities of the other copper deposits in the Djebel Sahro area (Tatelt,
Tanoufit, Foum Zguigui, and Bou Gaffer), which were discovered in 1950, and on
those in eastern Morocco (Argana, Bigoudine and Ourika).
In 1951, only the following copper deposits were being worked in French
Morocco (including prospecting operations):
Argana. kit Ktat, Bigoudine, and Tazalagaht (BRPM); Bcnxlbaz (Societe
Marocaine de Commerce at d'Invcstissements, Moroccan Trading and Investment
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Company); Tizi N'Test (Compagnie Miniere de Sousa, Sousa Mining Company, and BRW);
and Tirkou (Societe Industrielle et Miniere du Sud, Southern Industrial and Mining
Company).
2. Marrakech Region
Azegour (Societe de Molybdene, Molybdenum Company); Bou Skour (Societe
des Mines de Bou Skour, Bou Skour Mining Company); Bou Gaffer (Societe des Mines
de Bou Gaffer, Bou Gaffer Mining Company); Foum Zguigui and Tanoufit (Societe
d'Etudes et d'Exploitations Minieres du Sahro Central, Central Sahro Mining Studies
and Operations Company ; Ounein (Societe Miniere des Gundafa); Ourika (Societe
Ourika, Ourika Company ; Sidi Rahmon (Societe Miniere des Abda Anar, Abda Amer
Mining Company); Assif N'Tirhli (Societe Somidet, Somidet Company); and Tadelt
(Compagnie Miniere du Sahro Sud, Southern Sabo Mining Company).
Djebel Klakh (Societe Marocaine d'Exploitatione Minieres, Moroccan Mining
Operations Company).
It must be noted, however, that operations at all these mines are still in
the exploration stage, so -mach so that their total copper ore output in 1951 amounted
to only 47 tons, according to Bulletin d'Information du Maroc, Vol VI, No 3. The
DJehel Klakh deposit accounted for most of this output.
French Moroccan copper ore production from 1940 to 1950 wall as follows (in
tons):
Year
Ore
Metal Content
1940
90
25
1941
456
134
1942
1,065
276
1943
872
212
1944
2,078
580
1945
1,195
344
1946
240
70
1947
168
45
1948
1,794
500
1949
1,287
360
1950
Present Situation
70
18
French Morocco is still compelled to import practically all the copper it
needs. Its principal suppliers are France and Algeria; other suppliers include
the Netherlands, the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union, and Great Britain. (6)
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General Remarks
There are many iron ore deposits throughout French Morocco. However, they
are too scattered and often accessible only with great difficulty. Moreover,
local metallurgical treatment of the ore is not possible, owing to the fact that
there are no adequate coal resources within easy reach. It is said that new
methods are being sought to make possible on-the-spot metallurgical treatment of
French Moroccan iron ore, but at present, this endeavor is still only in the
study phase.
Production since 1938
The French Moroccan iron ore production index dipped sharply from 100 in
1938 (base year when the European metallurgical industry became interested in
French tdorocco's iron ore resources and some iron mines were put in operation,
notably the Alt Amar mine in the Oued Zem area) to 48 in 1946. Then, the index
rose to 59 in 1947, 115 in 1948 and 136 in 1949, dropped to 122 it 1950, and
rose to the all -time high of 208 in 1951.
Marketable iron ore production amounted to 319,190 tons (containing 146,542
tons of metal) in 1950 and 545,434 (containing 246,968 tons of metal) in 1951.
At present, the Ait Amar and Kettara mines are practically the only French
Moroccan iron mines in operation. The Ait Amer iron ore deposit is owned 'iy
the Societe Marocaine des Mines et Products Chimiques (Moroccan Mining and
Chemical Company), whose main offices are located in Casablanca. The deposit is
located 25 kilometers north of Ouecl Zeni and is connected to Casablanca by a 180-
kilometer railroad which also runs to the mining center of Khourigba. The ore
contains, among other things, 46 - 48 percent iron, 12 - 14 percent silica, and
.6 percent phosphorus.
The known iron ore resources of the Ait Amar deposit are estimated at about
6 million tons.
1. Sedimentary deposits, which are located for the most part in Silurian
and carboniferous regions and include the following: Khaloua, near Bou Regreb,
50 kilometers east of Rabat; Boulhaut, 50 kilometers from Casablanca (probable
reserves. 10 million tons of ore, with a metal content of between 40 and 45
percent), Beni Khirane, north of Ait Amar (probable ore reserves, 5 million
tons); Ouled Said, in the Mazagan region (probable ore reserves, 30 million tons
of low-quality ore, with a high silica content); Djebel Tachilla and Ouarzanime,
in the Tiznit region (reserves estimated at 400 million tons of ore, containing
from 30 to 40 percent iron and from 15 to 30 percent silica); Ougnat, east of
Djebel. Sarho (known reserves, 10 million tons of ore, containing 55 percent
i.ron); Djebel Mahaeur, 20 kilometers south of Oujda (known reserves, 1,500,000
tons of ore, contai-ing 42 percent iron and 13 percent silica).
2. Replacement deposits, which are located, as a rule, in calcareous areas.
The most important are hhenifra, where hematite is found in combination with
barytes (probable ore reserves, about 60 million tons, containing 43 percent
iron, 10 percent silica, and 15 percent barytes); Tiflet, in the Rabat region
(probable ore reserves. greater than at. jC)IPnifra.)~ Ait Hamm, n'n u__b, in
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and Maidnet Moual.ineer Rhaba Ank, in the Boulhaut region; Tided, in the Agadir
region (known ore reserves, 500,000 tons); Agadir-Ferrieres (known ore reserves,
800,000 tons); Kettara, worked by the Compagnie Miniere et Metallurgique (Mining
and Metallurgical Company) of Casablanca; and Sidi Malthlouf, near Sidi bou Othmane,
northeast of Marrakech.
According to the Division of Mines and Geology of the Directorate of Indus-
trial Production and Mines, the principal iron ore deposits now being actively
worked in French Morocco are as follows:
1. Tachilla and Ouarzeaine by the Societe d'Etudes Miniere de 1'Ouarzemine
(Ouarzemine mining Study Company), which has ,in offices in Casablanca.
3. Sahri and Dalaa, by the Societe Cherifienne des Mines, which has
main offices to Rabat.
4. Kettara, by the Compagnie Miniere et Metallurgique.
ort Date, 1948 - 1951
French Moroccan iron ore exports, for the most part, go to Great Britain and
the Netherlands. In 1948, Great Britain purchased 262,843 tons out of a total of
271,707. In 1949, out of a total of 332,714 tons, Great Britain purchased 223,091
and the Netherlands, 100,000. In 1950, all exports went +.r Great Britdin (278 470tms )
and the Netherlands (1.1.230 tons). In 1951, they went to Great Britain (284,713
tons), the Netherlands (223,215 tons), and Germany (36,645 tons). Exports during
the first half of 1952 totaled 283,000 tons. (7)
Deposits and Output
Antimony mining began in French Morocco on a small scale in 1935. By 1949,
according to the Mining and Geological Service, 12 antimony deposits were being
exploited. In 1947, the output of stibnite (between 55 and 60 percent metal
content) totaled 806 tons. This amount increased to 894 tons in 1948, 1,202
in 1949, 1,217 in 1950, 1,742 in 1951, and 870 during the first half of 1952.
The stibnite extracted is sorted and washed on the spot, and it is enriched
so that the product sold commercially has a metal content of about 65 percent.
However, its value is often reduced by the fact that it contains some lead.
The French Moroccan antimony deposits are located, for the moat part, in
central Morocco, particularly in the Kenifra area. In 1951, 14 of these deposits
were considered as being actively worked. The most important of these were as
follows:
1. The Ain Koheul deposit, located north of Tedders.
2. The Tazzeka group of deposits (Bougada, Bougagout, Ich ou Mella?,
Masser Amane, and Tourtit), located in the tea region; these are vein deposits
embedded in primary sz-hists.
3. The M'Rirt Sud group of deposits (Tirza and Mgued'h), located in the
Meknes region; these are found in microgranitic rocks.
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4. The Bled Zaian group of deposits (Timerdoudine, Mouhajibat, Abeurkrit,
and others), located in the Meknes region; these are found in microgranitic rocks.
5. The Smala group of deposits (Souala and Enta Botma), located northeast
of Oued Zem in the eastern part of the Casablanca region.
Increasel world demand for antimony, particularly since 1951, has caused
antimony mining to increase in French Morocco. However, modern equipment and
methods are needed to increase the output and improve the quality of the product
marketed.
orte
Until 1950, the principal purchasers of French Moroccan stibnite were
France, Great Britain, Italy, and the US. Exporte In 1950 were as follows
(in tons): France, 966.5; Italy, 115; Great Britain, 81.3; Us, 89; Belgium,
47.6; and Algeria, 1.4. Exports in 1951 amounted to 1,750.5 tons, valued at
147,397,000. The principal purchasers were as follows (in tons): France, 807;
Great Britain, 636; Italy, 107; US, 54.4; Netherlands, 119; and the Belgium-
Luxembourg Economic Union, 24.5. (8)
General Remarks
French Morocco became interested in exploiting its asbestos resources in
1940, because imports ceased abruptly as a result of the war. The explorations
carried out in the Anti-Atlas Mountains region led to the discovery of chrysotile
deposite in the Bou Azzer area. Exploitation was begun at the Bou Oufroh deposit.
The asbestos produced there is of excellent ruallty, but production costs are very
high, owing in part to the lack of modern equipment and the difficulties encoun-
tered in transporting the ore to Casablanca, where it is used industrially or
shipped abroad.
Another important chrysotile deposit was discovered at N'Kob, 30 kilometers
vest of Tazzenakkt. Moreover, an important deposit of rather mediocre asbestos
was found in the cobalt-bearing area of Aghbar. Mevertheleus, this deposit will
be exploited to offset the loss of the Bou Oufroh deposit, which is nearly ex-
hausted.
Data on Output and Currently Active Mines
French Moroccan asbestos production during the period from 1942 to 1951 was
as follows (in tons):
Year
Volume
1942
166
1944
507
1947
787
1948
399
1949
402
1950
511
1951
678
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O
The upward surge of production in 1951 is particularly encouraging. It is
anticipated that the situation will improve even further as soon as current
equipment and transportation problems are adequately solved.
The asbestos mines currently active in French Morocco (including those where
only prospecting operations are uaa under way) are as follows:
1. Bou Oufroh, owned by the Societe Miniere de Bon Azzer et du Graara.
(Bou Azzer and Graara Mining Company).
2. N'Kob, operated by the Societe Miniere de Siroua (Siroua Mining Company),
with main offices in Casablanca, and the BRPM.
3. Djebel Irguishem, owned by the Societe Miniere de Bou Azzer et du Graara.
4. Agouni N'Id ou Illoun, owned by Jacques Evers of Casablanca.
5. Tif Dra, which is under the supervision of the BRPM.
All of these mines are located in the Anti-Atlas region, bordering on the
Marrakech region.
Import and Export Data
In 1950, French Morocco imported asbestos from the following countries (in
tons): Union of South Africa, 338.8; Canada, 113.5; British Africa, 22; and France,
4.8. During the year, French Moroccan asbestos exports totaled 156.8 tons (126.8
to France and 30 to Algeria).
in 1951, asbestos imports were valued at 57,875,000. The countries of
origin were as follows (in tons): Union of South Africa, 425.8; Canada, 173;
France, 109; and the US, 45. Meanwhile, exports totaled 158.2 tons, valued at
17,205,000 francs. Some of the countries of destination were (in tons): US, 109;
Austria, 5.2, and France, 2.2.
Despite the importance of tin in modern industry and the constant increase
in demand, French Moroccan tin ore production was practically nil in 1950. In
1951, cassiterite exports also amounted to practically nothing.
The tin ore deposits in the Oulmes region consist of veins embedded in a
granitic massif and fall into the following categories:
1. Vein deposits.
2. Eluvial deposits (breaking up of the veins by atmospheric agents).
3. Alluvial deposits (breaking up of the veins by wadis).
The only tin mine currently in operation in French Morocco is the El Karit
mine, near Oulmes. It consists of caasiterite-bearing quartz veins. Cassiterite
production at this mine totaled 400 tons during the period from 1934 to 1946.
This rate of output has decreased considerably since the war. In fact, in 1948,
there was almost no output. Some work, hove7er, tans r___met is 1;51, :en
small smelting furnace at the mine treated 22 tons of ore.
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Molybdenum
Molybdenite, until recent years, was extracted at the Azegour mine. However,
the attention of this mine has recently been turned to the extraction of chalcopy-
rite. Molybdenite prospecting is now going on in the northern section of the
mine (Tisqui area) and in the Tichka Massif, with a view eventually to mine this
ore. From 1948 to 1950, no molybdenite was exported because of the very low
quality of the ungraded ore produced (molybdenum content, .02 percent). However,
in 1951, according to available customs statistics, 60 tons were exported to
France.
Wolfram
Since 1948, the BRPM has been carrying on wolfram prospecting operations in
the Hassian ed Diab area, near Berguent, in eastern Morocco, but it is still too
early to estimate the industrial value of the ore deposit in question.
The Societe du Wolfram (Wolfram Company) also engaged in similar prospecting
operations at the end of 1950 in the Zguit area (Rabat region), but here again,
it is still too early to estimate the possibilities of any ore discoveries made.
Barytes
French Moroccan production of barytes, which started in 1949, amounted to
5,000 tons in 1950 and 3,256 in 1951. At present, the Djebel Ighoud deposit,
located 70 kilometers from Safi, accounts for all French Moroccan output of
barytes, except one tenth of the total, which comes from a small mine located
in the Tichka area. About one third of the total output is sold on the local
market for use in the oxygen industry.
In 1951, 634.4 tons of barytes, valued at 1,084,000 francs, were exported
to Great Britain.
Beryl
French Moroccan beryl production from 1948 to 1951 was as follows (in tons):
51 in 1948; 160 in 1949; 56 in 1950; and 84 in 1951. The regression registered
after. 1949 was brought about by the fact that the mining company concerned
(Societe Miniere des Zenegas, Zenegas Mining Company) has turned its attention
to newly discovered beryl bearing areas, while awaiting the arrival of additional
equipment with which to carry on and expand its original operation.
Beryl in French Morocco is found in irregularly distributed lodes of
several tons. its beryllium oxide content is about 12 percent.
Fluorite
French Morocco has two main fluorite mines (Zraina in central Morocco and
Djebel Tirremi in eastern Morocco), whose output increased sharply from a fuw
tons in 1950 to 1,968 tons in 1951. In 1951, French Morocco exported 548.2 tons
of fluorspar (including 500 tons to the US) valued at 3,953,000 franca.
Vaneiinite in French Morocco is found in some lead ore veins in the Taouz
area. During the period from 1940 to 1944, French Morocco produced 163 tons
of vanadinite. New prospecting operations have since been undertaken to
reactivate mines which are now at a standstill.
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At present, the only active French Moroccan graphite mine is located at
Frag el Ma, near Sidi bou Othmane, 30 kilometers north of Marrakech.
French Moroccan graphite occurs in lodes or beds among metamorphic
schists. Total production until 1950 amounted to 10,000 tons, with a carbon
content of between 45 and 50 percent. Production for the period from 1948 to
1951 was as follows (in tons): 284 in 1948; 72 in 1949 (sharp decline due to
competition from Italian graphite); 74 in 1950 and 131 in 1951. During the
past year,, exports amounted to 65.188 tons (55.188 to France, 5 to Algeria,
and 5 to Tunisia) valued at 1,473,000 francs.
Graphite production and exports in French Morocco could be considerably
increased by the acquisition of modern equipment, which would reduce production
costs to a great extent.
The Pre-Cambrian formations in the Zenagas area, south of Tazenatcht,
contain pegmatite beds with muscovite mica deposits.
These deposits were known long before the war, but it was not until 1946
that a small company began to work one of them on a limited scale. A new
company has been carrying on prospecting operations since 1948. Production
during the period from 1948 to 1951 was as follows (in tons): 144 in 1948,
54 in 1949, 74 in 1950, and 25 in 1951. Use of modern equipment undoubtedly
would increase production considerably.
In 1950, French Morocco exported 142.3 tons of mica in blocks and pieces
to the US and 1.8 tons of pulverized mica to France. Exports in 1951 amounted
to 116.7 tons in blocks and pieces (including 102.2 tons to the US) valued at
854,000 francs. (9)
Gold is found in French Morocco, but it is still questionable whether its
production can be made profitable.
Until 1950, gold in this country was obtained from the metallurgical
treatment of cobalt ore mined at Bou Azzer, in the Anti-Atlas region. The gold
content of the marketable ore used for this purpose was as high as 200 grams
per ton. During 1950, about 70 kilograms of gold were produced in this manner.
In 1.950, the Tiouit gold-bearing quartz mine, located south of Boumalne
in the Sarho region, was equipped with a small cyaniding plant whose daily capac-
ity is estimated at between 20 and 30 tons of quartz, containing about one kilo-
gram of gold and between 2 and 3 kilograms of silver.
In 1951, .according to official statistics, French Morocco produced 3,322
kilograms of gold.
The Tioutt mine is owned by the Compagnie Miniere du Djebel Mansour
(Djebel Mansour Mining company), whose main offices are located in Casablanca.
The Sou Azzer mine is owned by the Societe Miniere de Bou Azzer et du Gaara.
Silver
Thera are two major silver-bearing ore r7er'eit- in French ".orcecc. `.^:.'c;;
the Bou Azzer deposit (Vein No 5, discovered in 1947, while prospecting for cobalt)
and the Ti.ouit deposit, whose ore contains four times as much silver as gold.
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However, a large part of the silver output of French Morocco comes from its
galena mines, where the silver content ranges 'rom 3 to 400 grams per ton of
galena concentrate, containing 70 percent lead. In 1950, the amount of silver
contained in the ore produced was estimated at approximately 20,000 kilograms.
A desilverization plant was established recently at Oued el Reimer, near
the Bou Beker mines, in the foundry of the Zellidja-Pennaroya Company.
A, present, marble in French Morocco is quarried principally in the Casa-
blanca, Agadir, Rabat, and Taza regions. Some of the more important quarries
are tho-e of 0u d Yquem (gray and black-veined marble) and Cued Ackreuch (red
marble) in the Rabat region; Bcured and Sidi Megher in the Taza region; Bou
Aciba and Oued Kauch in the Meknes region, and Achacha in the Agadir region.
French Moroccan total marble production declined from 40,000 tons in 1949
to between 12,000 and 15,000 in 1951-
There are seven large marble-cutting establishments in French Morocco, four
of which are located in Casablanca and the other three in Rabat and Agadir. The
oldest of these establishments is the SIMO Societe Industrielle des Marbres Ouvres
(Industrial Marble-Cutting Company) which operates the Oued Yquem quarries.
In 1950, French Morocco exported 195.3 tons of uncut marble and 35.1 tons
of cut marble (to Great Britain); in 1951, these exports amounted to 1,185.8
and 56 tons respectively.
French Morocco has many deposits of high-quality gypsum. In fact, it is
estimated that French Morocco could supply all the gypsum needed by Europe. How-
ever, gypsum in French Morocco is extracted principally in the Safi region to take
advantage of the proximity of this modern port.
Other known deposits include the following: Oued Mellal, near Casablanca;
Azemmour - Sidi Said Machou; Asni (being exploited); Ouezzane (being exploited);
Taouirirt (being exploited to a limited extent); Ouled el Had o, near Fee (being
exploited by the Corporation des Platriers, Plasterers' Guild); Mikkes, in the
Fee region; Timhadit, in the Little Atlas region; Naour, in the Agadir region;
7min Tanout; Middelt, where there is gypsum, as yet not exploited, which can be
made into a plaster equal if not superior in quality to plaster of Paris; Souk
es Sebet, Sidi Tigi, Sidi Teit in the Safi region; and Sidi bel Kraara in the
Saidia region.
Many of these deposits are exploited only to supply the needs of local plaster
factories, becauc,e prohibitive transportation costs and their relatively great
distance from any port prevent the export of gypsum in large quantities. During
the period from 1047 to 1951, French Moroccan gypsum exports were as follows (in
tons): 25,651 in 1947; 28,333 in 1948; 21,178 in 1949; 8,631 in 1950; and 11,436
in 1951. During thiQ same period, plaster exports amounted to 104.4 tons (includ-
ing 99 to French Nfst Africa).
Clay has been used in French Morocco for centuries in such important and
traditional tndu-tries as pottery, ceramics, and brick making.
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At present, there are 21 brickworks, located for the most part in the Casa-
blanca and Rabat areas. They already produce sufficient brick of the ordinary
variety to satisfy the entire domestic demand. Most of them now have modern
equipment, and it is anticipated that their output will increase considerably.
French Morocco has many high-quality clay deposits. Production for the
period from 1947 to 1951 was as follows (in tons): 66,000 in 1947; 78,000
in 1948; 89,000 in 1949; 145,000 in 1950; and 170,000 in 1951.
French Morocco also has many ceramic works, particularly at Safi, Sale,
and Fes,
Smectite deposits have been found near Taourirt, in eastern Morocco. The
principal ones are those of Gara Ziad, Bled Zerga, and Ank Jemel. The Bled Zerga
deposit, located 7 kilometers southeast of Taourirt, has been worked for several
years by the Ra#finerie Cherifienne d'Huiles de Petrole (Sherifian Paraffin Re-
finery) of Casablanca. The reserves of this deposit are estimated at approx-
imately 300,000 tons of high-quality smectite.
During, the period from 1949 to 1951, smectite production in French Morocco
was as follows (in tons): 4,200 in 1949; 5,664 in 1950; and 8,883 in 1951. It
is hoped that in a few years, the annual output can increase to 30,000 tons. (10)
he 6 December issue of Le Petit Casablancais stated that phosphates,
petroleum, and salt were not covered in this series of articles, because special
articles have been or will be devoted to these items at some later date]
SOURCES
1. Le Petit Casablancais, 27 Sep 52
(article written by Jean Sarrance)
2. Ibid., 4 Oct 52 (Jean Sarrance)
3. Ibid., 11 Oct 52 (Pierre d'Aspe)
It. Ibid., 18 Oct 52 (Pierre d'Aspe)
5. Ibid., 25 Oct 52 (Jean Sarrance)
6. Ibid., 1 Nov 52 (Jean Sarrance)
7. Ibid., 8 Nov 52 (Jean Sarrance)
8. Ibid., 15 Nov 52 (Pierre d'Aspe)
9. Ibid., 22 Nov 52 (Pierre d'Aspe)
10. Ibid., 29 Nov 52 (Jean Sarrance)
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