Casablanca – Saudi-backed investment initiatives have taken a significant leap forward in Morocco’s mining sector, as Royal Road Minerals recently secured all required permits for exploration at the “Alouana” project. Located in the eastern part of Morocco, the project is designed to explore the copper- and gold-rich lands of the region, strategically positioning the company and its Saudi partners in the Moroccan mining industry.

Royal Road Arabia (RRA), the Saudi-owned division overseeing the project, will be leading these exploratory efforts in partnership with Saudi investment company Mido. Headquartered in Jeddah, Mido’s expansive portfolio spans industries such as mining, real estate, and industrial development. This project marks a deepening relationship between the Moroccan and Saudi business sectors, especially after RRA’s recent option agreement, signed in October 2023, for full acquisition of Morocco’s Izughar Resources, the current project license holder.

Alouana covers 84 square kilometers and has four primary licenses allowing for in-depth geological exploration. Historically, this area has seen traditional mining since the early 1900s, with around 45 sites dedicated to extracting copper and gold using traditional methods. The unique geological structures, hosting mineral bodies at different depths, have yet to undergo modern exploration, making the region ripe for potential new finds.

The upcoming drilling campaign will target four main areas across the Alouana site, with a dual focus on mapping the thickness of shallow mineral formations and identifying the extent of lateral mineralization. The exploration specifically aims to examine the economic viability of two key regions, OPZ and HTZ, situated on the Alouana hills, and to evaluate deeper mineralization potential in the RBZ area.

In outlining the project’s goals, Royal Road’s CEO, Tim Coughlin, emphasized the importance of the initial focus on determining surface mineral thickness in the OPZ area, followed by investigating southwest lateral expansions. “We’re very enthusiastic about launching this ambitious initiative, with every drill point set to maximize our understanding of the Alouana mineral system,” Coughlin stated.

In addition to drill tests, the project includes geological and geochemical analyses to identify optimal sites for further exploratory drilling. This new phase reinforces Royal Road Minerals’ commitment to developing economically valuable mining projects in Morocco, while solidifying its collaboration with Saudi partners and expanding investment horizons in the region.