Desalination of Water: Morocco Has a Still Untapped Mineral Resource
As Morocco accelerates the development of its seawater desalination infrastructure to enhance its water security, a new economic opportunity is emerging around brine, long regarded merely as a byproduct of the desalination process.
With the commissioning of new stations, particularly in Casablanca and Marrakech, national production of desalinated water is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, leading to a notable increase in the volumes of brine generated.
A Resource Rich in Strategic Minerals
Primarily derived from reverse osmosis processes, brine contains high concentrations of salt, magnesium, sulfates, potassium, and bromine, along with traces of lithium, boron, and other rare metals.
These elements are increasingly sought after in various strategic industrial sectors, including batteries, advanced technologies, renewable energy, and the chemical industry, opening the door to their economic valorization.
An Opportunity to Strengthen Industrial Sovereignty
Exploiting the minerals contained in brine could enable Morocco to diversify its income sources and develop new high-value industrial sectors.
Magnesium is one of the most promising resources. This metal is widely used in the automotive, aerospace, and electronics industries, yet global production remains heavily dominated by China. Developing local production would represent a strategic asset for the Kingdom.
Bromine and Lithium Also Spark Interest
Bromine stands out as one of the most easily valorized minerals, thanks to established extraction technologies and a well-structured international market.
Lithium is also attracting attention due to its essential role in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Even in small quantities, it presents a high-potential resource in the context of global energy transition.
Desalination as a Value Creation Lever
Beyond its role in securing water supply, desalination could emerge as a true engine of industrial and mining development.
Valorizing brine would not only reduce the environmental impact associated with its discharge but also create new investment opportunities in research, innovation, and processing industries.
In the long run, this still underutilized resource could enhance Morocco’s industrial competitiveness and solidify its position in value chains related to strategic minerals and the green economy.
