New Minister Hanifi outlines priorities for mining sector, ending hydrocarbon oversight

Mourad Hanifi, the new Minister of Mines and Mining Industries, has officially taken office, outlining an ambitious roadmap to modernize the legal framework, attract foreign capital, and develop the country's rich mineral deposits. The handover ceremony took place at the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, where Hanifi, 58, received the department's keys from Mohamed Arkab, who has been promoted to Minister of State. Karima Bakir-Tafer retains her position as Secretary of State. Hanifi, a geological engineer and former president of the National Agency for Mining Activities' steering committee, participated in drafting the new mining law 25-12. He aims to transform a sector that has been dormant for decades in the shadow of oil and gas. His strategy focuses on transparency, efficiency, and modernizing the legal framework to make the mining sector a key driver of the national economy. Hanifi emphasized implementing a modern mining reform that strengthens transparency, encourages investment, and provides an attractive legal framework to accelerate the transformation of natural resources into productive economic projects and jobs. He plans to simplify administrative procedures, improve the business climate, and prioritize local content and national skills development. The country possesses exceptional and diverse resources, including some of the world's largest phosphate reserves, the Tala Hamza-Amizour zinc and lead deposit, and confirmed prospects in gold, copper, and manganese. Hanifi s