Subject
The draft bill amends and supplements several articles of Law No. 33.13 on mines. It covers definitions, conditions for granting mining titles, exploration permits and waste and rubble heap exploitation permits, as well as safety, environmental, and local content requirements.
Key provisions
- The title of Chapter III of Section I is amended to include waste and rubble heap exploitation permits alongside mining titles and exploration permits.
- New definitions are added, including waste and rubble heaps, active mining company, small-scale mining operations up to 150 metres deep, and strategic minerals.
- Mining companies must obtain a classification certificate that sets the maximum number of mining titles they may hold, based on their technical, financial and human capacities.
- The transfer of mining titles and the leasing of the exploitation of one or more mineral substances require prior administrative authorisation, and adjacent exploitation titles may be merged.
- Title holders must carry out an environmental impact study, an annual safety audit and risk assessment, and provide a bank guarantee for site rehabilitation, while giving priority to local employment, raw materials and national contractors.
Context
The draft amends Law No. 33.13 on mines, promulgated by Dahir No. 1.15.76 of 14 Ramadan 1436 (1 July 2015), supplementing some of its provisions and repealing certain articles.