A historic gold discovery in Guelmim could reshape Morocco's place in the global precious metals industry, with 34 quartz veins identified containing exceptional concentrations of up to 300 grams per ton. This breakthrough opens new horizons for Morocco to position itself as a leading player among the world's top gold producers. Fieldwork by a team of mining specialists has uncovered a vast network of 34 quartz veins with exceptionally high gold concentrations in Guelmim, according to Discovery Alert. These veins, aligned northwest to southeast, extend across the entire licensed exploration zone and show strong signs of depth potential exceeding 100 meters. At the surface, widths range from 40 centimeters to 1.5 meters. Samples collected from drilling and trenching revealed gold concentrations ranging from 6 grams per ton to 300 grams per ton, an extraordinary range that positions this find as one of the most important in North Africa in recent years, with the potential to elevate Morocco's role on the global gold industry map. The implications go well beyond high-grade results. According to the U.S. Geological Survey's 2023 report on mineral commodities, Morocco produced around 6.8 tons of gold in 2022. Development of these new veins could dramatically increase that figure. Globally, deposits with more than 10 g/t are considered high-grade. With results reaching up to 300 g/t, the Guelmim discovery ranks among the richest worldwide. Such grades make mining economically viable even when gold prices dip, highlighting the strategic value of the resource. For comparison, many operating mines work profitably with ores averaging just 1–2 g/t, while anything above 5 g/t is seen as high-grade. Geological and historical context What makes this discovery even more remarkable is the consistency of mineralization across dozens of veins. Instead of a single rich pocket, researchers found an integrated network of 34 mineralized structures, pointing to a broader geological system with vast potential for future finds. These quartz veins belong to the classic hydrothermal deposit type, formed when mineral-rich fluids seeped through fractures in the ancient Precambrian rocks of the Anti-Atlas, about 200 kilometers south of Agadir. As the fluids cooled, gold and other minerals crystallized, creating the rich veins seen today. Their northwest–southeast orientation reflects the influence of large fault systems that acted as conduits for these fluids, a clue that helps guide future exploration. The site also carries historical resonance. The veins are located above the former beds of the ancient Drâa River, once flowing from Algeria through Mauritania and known for carrying gold deposits. These newly identified primary veins suggest that the alluvial gold historically mined from the Drâa's sediments originated from these very sources. Beyond geology, the find has cultural and historical significance. It is likely that gold from this region fed ancient trade routes linking North Africa with sub-Saharan Africa, and possibly further afield. In this sense, the Guelmim discovery reconnects Morocco with a deep history of mineral wealth and trans-Saharan exchange.
