Xtract Resources secures Moroccan exploration licenses, reviving antimony mining potential

Thursday 18 September 2025 - 07:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Xtract Resources secures Moroccan exploration licenses, reviving antimony mining potential

London-based diversified metals and minerals producer Xtract Resources Plc has acquired two exploration licenses in Morocco’s Khenifra province, signaling a strategic move to tap into the region’s mineral wealth. The licenses, purchased through its 80%-owned subsidiary Wildstone SARL for $105,000 (MAD 1.06 million), cover 32 square kilometers and remain valid until mid-2026.

The site includes the Amghas antimony mine, inactive since the 1950s. Historical operations uncovered high-grade sulfide veins with ore exceeding 40% antimony content, highlighting the area’s significant mineral potential. Xtract has already initiated baseline studies and an environmental impact assessment to reinstate the mining license, with early mapping indicating mineralized structures extending several kilometers.

Exploration efforts are underway, including underground channel sampling to establish a preliminary mineral resource estimate. The company emphasized the strategic importance of antimony, a critical mineral used in batteries, flame retardants, semiconductors, and defense technologies. Recognized as a strategic metal by both the EU and the US, demand for antimony is accelerating amid the global energy transition.

With China dominating global antimony supply, Africa is emerging as a key alternative source. Through the Khenifra licenses, Xtract aims to position itself in this growing market while bolstering Morocco’s reputation as a hub for critical mineral exploration and production.