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Doha – Catalyst Mines Inc. has announced outstanding results from its Spring 2025 trench sampling campaign at the Amasine Project in Morocco’s Siroua region. The findings confirm high-grade chromium mineralization alongside significant cobalt and nickel anomalies.
The exploration revealed chromium concentrations peaking at 270,350 ppm, with an average of 10,880 parts per million (ppm) across sampled trenches. Nickel values averaged 1,481 ppm, reaching up to 3,719 ppm, while cobalt values averaged 102 ppm, with highs of 304 ppm.
“These trenching results are nothing short of exceptional,” said Tyler Burpee, CEO of Catalyst Mines Inc., in a recent statement. “The scale and grade of the chromite mineralization at the surface positions this project as a serious contender in the global critical minerals supply chain.”
The chromite mineralization occurs in both massive and disseminated forms, primarily hosted in serpentinite matrices, a geological context favorable for large-scale, open-pit mining.
The company estimates that the Amasine project includes 609 million tons of serpentinite-hosted ore, with a preliminary in-ground value exceeding $60 billion.
Mustapha El Gorphi, technical advisor to the project and former chief geologist of the neighboring Bou Azzer mine, stated, “This is a geological system in Morocco with global implications.”
“The chromite textures and associated cobalt-nickel signatures bear strong similarities to Morocco’s most productive critical mineral districts, with even greater surface expression at Amasine,” he added.
The current exploration phase includes an aggressive 20-hole, 4,000-meter drill campaign focused on confirming vertical continuity of the identified anomalies and delineating mineral resources.
The company is utilizing advanced GIS-integrated geological modeling and high-resolution sampling methods to support this effort.
Catalyst Mines has positioned itself as a first mover in Morocco’s mining sector, establishing a corporate presence that allows it to acquire secure and geologically viable land positions focused on cobalt geology.
Unlike many countries in the MENA region, Morocco lacks crude oil reserves but possesses rich mineral deposits, including phosphates, lead, fluorite, and antimony.
The company’s focus on cobalt aligns with growing global demand, particularly in battery production for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. By 2026, battery applications are projected to account for 61% of global cobalt demand, up from current levels.
Morocco’s mining sector has become increasingly attractive to international investors. The Fraser Institute ranks Morocco as the #1 investment destination in Africa and #16 globally for mining, ahead of Ontario, British Columbia, and Finland.
The North African country’s strategic location and free trade agreements with the US and EU further enhance its appeal for critical minerals development.
Catalyst Mines’ next steps include commencing drill testing of high-priority chromite zones, conducting detailed metallurgical analysis and 3D resource modeling, and advancing toward NI 43-101 compliant resource estimation and scoping studies.
Read also: Morocco Proposes New Sustainable Mining Corridor at Riyadh Summit
