MANAGEM

MANAGEM is a Moroccan mining group whose activities span mineral exploration, mine development, extraction, processing, refining, and marketing. Its portfolio includes base metals such as copper, zinc, and lead; precious metals including gold and silver; cobalt and cobalt-derived products; and industrial minerals such as fluorite. The group is headquartered in Casablanca and has historically been one of Morocco's most important mining enterprises, while also developing a wider African presence. The business traces its roots to the discovery of cobalt deposits at Bou-Azzer in Morocco in 1928. Those deposits led to the creation of the Compagnie de Tifnout Tighanimine in 1930, establishing the foundation for the group's long-running cobalt and mining operations. Mining activities were later associated with Omnium Nord-Africain, a Moroccan holding company created in 1934 with interests in several sectors. In 1996, MANAGEM was formally established to bring the mining activities of that holding structure together. Omnium Nord-Afrain subsequently became part of the Al Mada group, which adopted its current name in 2018. MANAGEM's operating model combines ownership or participation in mining assets with mineral processing and commercial marketing. The group has operated a diversified portfolio rather than focusing on a single commodity. Moroccan activities have included the Bou-Azzer cobalt operation, the Société Métallurgique d'Imiter silver mine, and assets or projects involving copper, zinc, lead, gold, and fluorite. The company has also pursued international growth through mining and exploration projects in several African countries. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it has worked in partnership with China's Wanbao Mining on gold-related development. Its international portfolio has also included operations or projects in Gabon, Sudan, and Guinea. Cobalt is strategically important to MANAGEM because the group has longstanding experience in producing cobalt cathodes and chemical products, in addition to extracting the ore. Its broader commodities portfolio is intended to reduce dependence on any one metal and to position the company for demand connected with industrial production, energy-transition supply chains, and infrastructure. Gold, copper, and cobalt have been identified as important areas for expansion. The company has also faced criticism concerning the environmental and social effects of mining. At Imider in southeastern Morocco, local residents have protested since 2011 against the activities of the Société Métallurgique d'Imiter, a MANAGEM subsidiary. Protesters have alleged excessive use of local water resources, pollution, and harm to agriculture. The dispute has included a prolonged sit-in near a water pipeline serving the silver mine. In 2023, allegations of arsenic contamination in groundwater near Bou-Azzer generated additional scrutiny. MANAGEM rejected the allegations, said that its audits had found no abnormality in water quality, and pointed to water-retention and environmental-management measures. In January 2024, MANAGEM announced a capital increase intended to finance expansion in gold, copper, and cobalt. The move reflected a strategy of enlarging production capacity and strengthening the group's position in selected African mining markets. MANAGEM remains an active diversified mining company, although the scale, ownership structure, and status of individual projects can change as exploration, partnerships, and development decisions progress.

MANAGEM's history is rooted in Morocco's twentieth-century cobalt industry. Cobalt deposits were identified at Bou-Azzer in 1928, and the discovery led to the establishment of the Compagnie de Tifnout Tighanimine in 1930. This company became the institutional starting point for mining activity that would later be incorporated into MANAGEM's broader group structure. Bou-Azzer remains closely associated with the company's cobalt business and with its technical capabilities in the extraction and processing of cobalt-bearing material. A broader corporate framework emerged in 1934 with the creation of Omnium Nord-Africain, commonly known as ONA. The holding company operated across several sectors, including mining, and over time became an important vehicle for consolidating Moroccan industrial and commercial interests. Mining assets and activities associated with this structure eventually formed the basis of a dedicated mining group. MANAGEM was formally created in 1996 to consolidate ONA's mining activities. Rather than being built around a single mine or commodity, the group developed a portfolio covering precious metals, base metals, cobalt, and industrial minerals. This structure allowed it to combine exploration, mine operation, mineral treatment, and sales. Its Moroccan activities included cobalt at Bou-Azzer, silver through the Société Métallurgique d'Imiter, and projects involving copper, zinc, lead, gold, and fluorite. The group subsequently expanded outside Morocco. Its international strategy involved developing or participating in mining projects in a number of African countries, including Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Guinea. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MANAGEM has been associated with a partnership with China's Wanbao Mining. International expansion broadened the group's access to gold and other minerals, while also increasing its exposure to different regulatory, political, operational, and community environments. MANAGEM's development has increasingly emphasized downstream processing as well as extraction. In cobalt, the company produces cobalt cathodes and chemical products, giving it capabilities beyond the sale of unprocessed ore or concentrates. Its diversified commodity mix has also enabled the group to pursue growth in gold, copper, and cobalt as strategic markets. In January 2024, it announced a capital increase to finance this expansion strategy and support the development of its African portfolio. The history of the group has also included recurring community and environmental disputes. Since 2011, residents of Imider have protested against the silver-mining activities of Société Métallurgique d'Imiter, alleging that mining operations have overused or polluted water resources needed for farming and local livelihoods. The protest became one of the country's longest-running mining-related sit-ins. In late 2023, allegations concerning arsenic in groundwater near Bou-Azzer brought renewed attention to the environmental responsibilities of the cobalt operation. MANAGEM disputed those allegations and stated that its audits had not identified abnormal water quality. Today, MANAGEM is an active Moroccan mining group with a portfolio extending from domestic operations to projects and partnerships elsewhere in Africa. Its identity rests on diversified mineral production, processing expertise, and participation in strategic commodities, while its principal ongoing challenges include responsible water use, environmental management, community relations, project execution, and the governance of cross-border mining operations.

• 2024

  Capital increase announced for commodity expansion

  [1]Managemen.wikipedia.org

  MANAGEM announced a capital increase to support expansion in gold, copper, and cobalt.

• 2018

  ONA becomes Al Mada

  [1]Managemen.wikipedia.org

  The holding structure formerly known as Omnium Nord-Africain adopted the name Al Mada.

• 2011

  Imider protest begins

  [1]Managemen.wikipedia.org

  Residents of Imider began a prolonged protest concerning the Société Métallurgique d'Imiter silver operation and alleged impacts on local water resources and agriculture.

• 1996

  MANAGEM formally established

  [1]Managemen.wikipedia.org

  MANAGEM was established to consolidate the mining activities of Omnium Nord-Africain.

• 1934

  Omnium Nord-Africain created

  [1]Managemen.wikipedia.org

  Omnium Nord-Africain was formed as a diversified Moroccan holding company with interests that included mining.

• 1930

  Compagnie de Tifnout Tighanimine established

  [1]Managemen.wikipedia.org

  The creation of the Compagnie de Tifnout Tighanimine formalized mining activity connected with the Bou-Azzer cobalt deposits.

• 1928

  Cobalt deposits discovered at Bou-Azzer

  [1]Managemen.wikipedia.org

  The discovery of cobalt deposits at Bou-Azzer in Morocco established the geological and industrial foundation for the mining activities that later became associated with MANAGEM.

A diversified African mining group combining mineral extraction with processing and marketing across base metals, precious metals, cobalt, and industrial minerals.

• Battery and industrial metals

  Cobalt

  Cobalt is one of MANAGEM's historic and strategically important commodities. The group traces its origins to the Bou-Azzer cobalt deposits and has developed capabilities covering extraction, treatment, and production of cobalt cathodes and chemical products. The business connects Moroccan mining assets with industrial applications that require refined cobalt materials.

• Precious metals

  Gold

  Gold is part of MANAGEM's precious-metals portfolio and an important area of its African expansion strategy. The group has pursued gold projects and operations in Morocco and other African markets, combining exploration and mining interests with processing and commercial marketing activities.

• Precious metals

  Silver

  Silver is produced through MANAGEM's mining portfolio, including the Société Métallurgique d'Imiter operation in Morocco. The silver business has been commercially significant to the group but has also been associated with sustained community debate over water use and environmental impacts around Imider.

• Base metals

  Copper

  Copper is one of MANAGEM's principal base-metal activities and a stated focus of its expansion strategy. The group is involved in copper exploration, mining, processing, and marketing through its portfolio of Moroccan and African assets and projects.

• Base metals

  Zinc and lead

  MANAGEM's diversified base-metal portfolio includes zinc and lead. These materials are produced or developed through mining assets and projects that complement the group's copper, cobalt, precious-metals, and mineral-processing activities.

• Industrial minerals

  Fluorite and industrial minerals

  Fluorite and other industrial minerals broaden MANAGEM's portfolio beyond metallic ores. The group has included exploration, extraction, processing, and marketing of these minerals among its mining activities.

• 2023

  Allegations of arsenic contamination near Bou-Azzer

  A November 2023 report alleged arsenic contamination in groundwater near MANAGEM's Bou-Azzer cobalt mine. MANAGEM rejected the claims, said its regular audits found no abnormality in water quality, and cited efforts to improve water retention infrastructure and meet environmental standards.

  Source

• 2011

  Imider water and community dispute

  Residents of Imider have protested the Société Métallurgique d'Imiter silver mine, a MANAGEM subsidiary, alleging that mining activity has depleted or polluted local water resources and damaged agricultural livelihoods. The dispute has involved a long-running sit-in near a water pipeline serving the mine.

  Source

Read more

• 2024

  Capital increase to fund gold, copper, and cobalt growthStrategy

  Background

  MANAGEM sought additional capital as part of a strategy to expand its production and project portfolio in selected African mining commodities.

  Action taken

  The group announced a capital increase intended to support expansion in gold, copper, and cobalt.

  Aftermath

  The announcement reinforced the group's stated focus on enlarging its African mining platform and strengthening exposure to strategic minerals. The supplied reference does not establish the final proceeds or subsequent operational outcome.

  Source

1. 1Managemen.wikipedia.org
2. 2MANAGEM Group official websitemanagemgroup.com