HIBAPRESS – Mohammed Zerrih
It appears that the Nador West Med port is preparing to open a new chapter in its economic journey, after the Canadian mining company "Aya Gold & Silver" revealed its choice of the port as a key anticipated platform for exporting the production of the "Boumadine" mining project in the province of Errachidia, towards foreign markets. This move reflects the expanding stakes placed on this port facility.
The project, considered one of the most prominent anticipated mining investments, will make Nador a logistics hub for the transportation and storage of significant quantities of mineral concentrates. According to announced data, the products will travel approximately 640 kilometers by truck before reaching the port, where the establishment of covered facilities capable of storing up to 250,000 tons is anticipated.
This is not about a single metal. The "Boumadine" project is based on the production of zinc, lead, and pyrite concentrates, in addition to gold and silver, with exploitation expected to continue for about 14 years. The study estimates the average annual production at around 271,000 ounces of gold equivalent, with a potential increase to 348,000 ounces annually during the first five years.
The initial investments planned for the project's development exceed $463 million, including a raw ore processing plant, an electrical line extending for about 72 kilometers, a power station, and water and storage facilities. The study also estimated the net present value of the project after taxes at around $3.5 billion, reflecting the anticipated economic scale of this investment.
For Nador and the Oriental region, the integration of the Nador West Med port into the "Boumadine" project could mark the beginning of a new economic role for the port, not just as a facility for receiving and exporting goods, but as a link between Moroccan mineral wealth and global markets. The biggest challenge remains the extent to which the region can translate this logistical dynamic into local investments, job opportunities, and added value that benefits the economy of Nador and the region.
