Poland’s state-controlled copper producer KGHM is preparing new investments in Europe and Morocco, aiming to secure raw materials closer to its Polish smelting operations. The strategy is designed to reduce logistics costs, improve supply security, and cut the company’s carbon footprint.
Chief executive Remigiusz Paszkiewicz confirmed that Morocco has become a key priority in KGHM’s international expansion strategy. The company is increasingly focused on aligning its mining assets with its domestic processing base in Poland, reflecting a broader shift toward more regionalised supply chains in the global metals industry.
Global Mining Portfolio and New Cooperation in Morocco
KGHM already operates a diversified mining portfolio, including the Robinson copper mine in the United States and a 55% stake in the Sierra Gorda project in Chile, alongside its major Polish operations.
To strengthen its position in raw material sourcing, the company recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines and the local mining group Managem. The agreement focuses on cooperation in mineral resources development and signals deeper engagement in North Africa.
Morocco is actively positioning itself as a strategic destination for copper and battery supply chain investment. The government has introduced a national digital mining registry, aimed at simplifying licensing procedures and attracting foreign investors such as KGHM. The country is increasingly viewed as a gateway for critical minerals supply chains, particularly those linked to the global energy transition and electrification.
Major Copper Projects in the Anti-Atlas Belt
Morocco’s copper resources are largely concentrated in the Anti-Atlas mountain range, which hosts several significant deposits.
The Tizert copper project is expected to become one of the country’s largest mining operations, with estimated resources of around 100 million tonnes and planned annual output of approximately 120,000 tonnes of copper concentrate.
Other important assets include:
- Bouskour mine (Ouarzazate) – estimated 9 million tonnes of ore grading 1.61% copper
- Bleida mine – copper-cobalt mineralisation
- Bel N’Zourk deposit – cobalt system with copper grades reaching up to 3.44%
- Kharrouba copper mine (Marrakech) – processing around 800 tonnes of ore per day
For KGHM, expanding into Morocco supports a broader strategy of securing shorter, more efficient supply chains for its European smelting operations. By sourcing material closer to Poland, the company aims to reduce dependence on long-distance imports from Chile and the United States. This shift reflects a wider transformation in the global copper industry, where proximity to processing hubs, energy efficiency, and supply chain resilience are becoming as important as production scale in investment decisions.
