Errachidia: Leila Benali Chairs CADETAF’s Board of Directors and Signs Two Strategic Agreements for the Development of the Mining Sector

Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leads Fourth Board Meeting of CADETAF

On Wednesday in Errachidia, Leila Benali, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, chaired the fourth meeting of the Board of Directors of the Central Purchasing and Development Agency for the Mining Region of Tafilalet and Figuig (CADETAF). This meeting focused on evaluating the agency’s activities and reviewing its strategic projects aimed at enhancing artisan mining development in the region.

During the session, the Board approved the minutes from the previous meeting held on October 31, 2025. Members reviewed the agency’s activity report for the 2025 fiscal year, assessed the progress of the 2026 action plan, and were informed of the performance development plan along with the 2027-2030 action program. These efforts align with national directives aimed at improving the effectiveness of the agency and strengthening its role in supporting the mining sector.

The discussions also covered the main pillars of legislative, regulatory, and institutional reforms within the artisan mining sector. The Board updated its members on the partnership development between CADETAF and the company MARITA, the latest developments in the Public Call for Competition (PCC) in the mining region, and the proposed establishment of a laboratory and training center for artisan miners. This initiative aims to enhance technical skills, improve service quality, and increase the competitiveness of the sector.

In her remarks, Leila Benali emphasized that this meeting is part of the reform momentum currently underway in Morocco’s mining sector, in accordance with the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. She reiterated that these reforms seek to modernize the legal and institutional framework, enhance the sector’s contribution to economic and social development, and promote principles of good governance and sustainability.

The minister reaffirmed that the development of artisan mining is a priority for her department due to its impact on job creation and territorial development. She stressed the continuation of a comprehensive reform aimed at modernizing the regulatory framework, improving the sector’s attractiveness for investors, and enhancing the working conditions of artisan miners, all while adhering to international best practices.

Additionally, she highlighted the central role of CADETAF in guiding artisan miners, developing services tailored for them, and improving governance in the mining region, thus contributing to a sustainable development dynamic benefiting local populations.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board adopted several decisions and recommendations aimed at accelerating the implementation of strategic projects for the agency, enhancing its governance, and improving its efficiency to sustainably support the development of artisan mining activities and the national sector strategy.

On the sidelines of this meeting, Leila Benali signed two strategic agreements intended to leverage the geological, mining, and energy potential of the Drâa-Tafilalet region. The first agreement focuses on creating geoscientific maps of the area, while the second involves establishing a permanent space dedicated to promoting the geological, mining, and energy heritage at the former train station in Errachidia. This initiative aims to enhance the national geological heritage and promote the scientific, cultural, and tourist visibility of the region.