This project, which is part of the implementation of the new development model for the Southern provinces, aims to create wealth locally through the on-site processing of phosphate and to strengthen Morocco's competitive advantage. It should contribute to improving the region's competitiveness, notably through the development of an industrial fabric of SMEs and SMIs, and new trades related to phosphate processing activities into fertilisers (engineering, construction, maintenance, project management...).
Covering the entire phosphate value chain, this megaproject, which will eventually generate nearly 1,270 jobs, notably provides for the construction of a fertiliser production platform worth 8.3 billion dirhams, the construction of a phosphate washing and flotation plant (1.7 billion dirhams), a drying unit for phosphates intended for export (600 million DH), and a storage park with a capacity of 500,000 tonnes (800 million DH). With a view to adapting to the maritime and meteorological conditions and the specificities of the Laâyoune coastline (silting), and in order to develop logistical capacities (import and export), the construction of a new port (wharf) with an investment of 4.2 billion dirhams is also planned as part of this project.
A first for Laâyoune, the fertiliser production platform (8.3 billion dirhams) will allow for the diversification of Phosboucraâ's product portfolio by transforming extracted phosphate into phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilisers. With an annual production capacity of half a million tonnes of phosphoric acid and one million tonnes of fertiliser, the future industrial platform (36 hectares) will include units for the production of sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, fertilisers, seawater desalination, and a 62 MW thermoelectric power plant.
On this occasion, His Majesty King Mohammed VI laid the foundation stone for the washing and flotation plant, a major component of the future integrated industrial complex for fertiliser production. This facility, with a processing capacity of 3 million tonnes/year, will allow for the exploitation of new phosphate layers in the Boucraâ mining area and the optimisation of the exploitable deposit.
This plant will include various components, notably two washing lines with a unit capacity of 400 tonnes/hour, a flotation unit, two sludge decanters, and a dam for sludge spreading and water recovery.
The implementation of these various projects will be carried out in total respect for the environment. It is thus planned to use innovative processes for the transformation of Boucraâ phosphate into fertiliser and for the recovery of by-products, the recovery of thermal energy generated by the sulphuric unit into electrical energy, the reduction of energy consumption for the drying of rock intended for export, and the use of seawater in the washing-flotation process.
A new illustration of the Sovereign's commitment to the integrated development of the Southern provinces, the project to build the integrated industrial complex for fertiliser production also reflects H.M. the King's desire to support the OCP Group's industrial strategy in order to consolidate the Kingdom of Morocco's leadership in the global phosphate market. This integrated industrial project, which mobilises investments of around 16.8 billion dirhams, will also allow Morocco to establish intelligent leadership in the global market for phosphates and by-products, based certainly on productivity and profitability parameters, but above all on the sustainability approach.
