On the African mining map, Morocco is attracting global capital attention with its astonishing investment return rate. The Canadian mining company Aya Gold&Silver recently officially launched the feasibility study of the Bumartin polymetallic mine project, which not only announced the countdown of another huge mineral deposit in the deep Atlas Mountains, but also became the focus of the industry with an internal rate of return of up to 47%. As another strategic project of the company following the Zagula silver mine, the Bumartin project is attempting to deliver a breakthrough in changing the precious metal landscape in West Africa by the second half of 2027.

A wealth creation machine with a net present value of 1.5 billion US dollars

This is not an ordinary exploration attempt, but a meticulously calculated commercial hunt. According to the latest assessment data in 2025, the Bumartin deposit not only possesses a full range of resources including gold, silver, lead, copper, and zinc, but its economic indicators are also astonishing: under the benchmark of gold price of $2800/ounce and silver price of $30/ounce, the project's after tax net present value is as high as $1.5 billion, and the total life cycle revenue is expected to reach $7 billion.

What is more attractive is the robustness of its income structure. Gold, as the absolute mainstay, will contribute approximately 61% of revenue; Silver follows closely behind, accounting for 21%; Zinc and lead contribute 13% and 5% respectively. In the first five years of production, the average annual output of the mine can reach 401000 ounces of gold equivalent, which means that in the current bull market cycle of precious metals, the project will become a high-speed printing machine.

Hybrid mining blueprint with a daily processing capacity of 8000 tons

The combination of geology and engineering is another major highlight of this project. Bumartin is located in the pre Cambrian metallogenic belt of the province of Elashidiye, about 220 kilometers east of Valzazat. Aya Gold&Silver holds a mining license for 32 square kilometers and plans to adopt a mixed mining mode combining open-pit and underground mining, with a planned daily processing capacity of 8000 tons.

In terms of capital expenditure, the initial investment of $446 million will mainly be used for infrastructure and procurement of mining equipment. For Aya, who has long been deeply involved in Morocco, this is not only an investment of funds, but also a reuse of experience - relying on the localized operational capabilities accumulated by the Zagula silver mine and familiarity with Moroccan mining regulations, the company is expected to significantly shorten the project construction period. It is expected that by the second half of 2027, with the completion of the feasibility study, this dormant mine will be awakened, adding another heavyweight bargaining chip for Morocco to consolidate its position as the preferred mining investment destination in Africa. Keywords: international news, Morocco, gold mines

From exploration drawings to the upcoming beneficiation plant, the Bumartin project not only carries Aya Gold&Silver's growth ambitions, but also reflects the extreme thirst of global mining capital for high-quality, multi metal, and low-risk assets. Driven by the dual carbon transformation and the need for precious metals to avoid risks, this green and gold symphony in the Atlas Mountains has just begun.Editor/Cheng Liting