Who is building a joint EV battery plant in Morocco?

South Korea’s LG Chem Ltd has entered into partnership with China’s Huayou Group’s subsidiary Youshan to build a joint electric vehicle (EV) battery material plant in Morocco in an effort to diversify its portfolio.

Is the Mont Tropic underwater lithium deposit a threat to Morocco?

The Mont Tropic underwater lithium deposit, located near the border with Mauritania and the Canary Islands, is believed to be one of the largest strategic mineral reserves in Africa. Exploiting it would require mining groups prepared to take high geopolitical and environmental risks, even if these would necessarily be shared with Moroccan groups.

Who owns the Moroccan subsoil?

Until now, two local giants have reigned unchallenged over the Moroccan subsoil: OCP Group, the phosphates giant, which is 95% state owned, and Managem, a subsidiary of the royal holding company Al Mada, which produces gold, silver, cobalt, copper, zinc and lead, and is headed by Imad Toumi.

Does the Moroccan subsoil contain cobalt?

The Canadian and his compatriot Marc-Antoine Audet - a geologist who has accompanied him on his West African adventures over the past decade (AI, 23/03/22) - are convinced that the Moroccan subsoil harbours many strategic metals, not just the cobalt mined from Bou Azzer, which Managem operates.