Industrial development projects
The various projects of Phosboucraa’s investment program aim to:
- Optimize extraction and extend the lifespan of existing rock deposits
- Introduce new processing methods to improve the management of the deposits and to increase energy efficiency
- Add value locally from the Boucraa phosphate rock by transforming it into intermediate products (phosphoric acid) and finished products (fertilizers)
- Ramp up the port capacity to match the development of the new processing facilities, and accommodate the anticipated increase in import needs and exports
- Contribute to improve the logistics of the Region and thereby improve its business and industrial attractiveness.
A new fertilizer processing plant with a capacity of 1 Million tons per year
A series of processing facilities extending over 36 hectares will open in the outskirts of Laayoune.
This industrial platform will have a capacity of approximately 1 Million tons of fertilizers per year (eq. DAP /MAP) by processing the phosphate rock extracted in the Boucraa mines (which have a capacity of 2.6 Million tons of rock per year).
This complex alone will require 2.24 Million man/days during its construction phase, and will mobilize more than 600 people fulltime. This project illustrates the commitment of Phosboucraa which seeks to strengthen and develop the local economy, create jobs and stimulate the local industrial ecosystem.
A new washing and flotation unit with a processing capacity of 3 Million tons per year
The new washing and flotation unit with a processing capacity of 3 Million tons per year is a major component of Phosboucraa’s industrial developement program.
This facility will allow the extraction of additional phosphate rock layers, and therefore optimize the recoverable phosphate reserves of the Boucraa mining area.
The whole facility will span over 6 hectars and will include several components such as: 2 washing lines with a capacity of 400 t/hour each; a flotation workshop, 2 thickeners, 1 tailing storage impoundment, a water recovery system, a phosphate rock drying unit and a stocking area with a 500 000 tons capacity.
The washing and flotation unit will require an investment of MAD 3.1 Billion and will create 100 jobs once operational.
Ramping up of the logistics to adapt to the new industrial activities and to the regional specificities
A new wharf will be constructed in order to overcome frequent bad weather conditions that prohibit access to the current wharf for approximately 250 days per year, and to accommodate for the specificities of the coast line of Laâyoune (including silting issues). This will significantly increase the import and export capacities of Phosboucraa and will require an investment of approximately MAD 4.2 Billion. This new wharf will allow for the transfer of 11 Million tons of raw materials, including imports of ammonia, sulfur and potash which will serve as inputs for the local production of fertilizers. Once operational, the new wharf will generate 200 additional jobs.