Morocco’s Managem rejects allegations by German newspaper on arsenic levels

Morocco’s largest mining company, Managem, categorically rejected allegations spread by German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung regarding its Abou Azzer cobalt mine.

The allegations were related to arsenic levels due to mine operations and labor standards.

“At Bou-Azzer, the ore is handled in full compliance with mining employee protection rules, from the moment it is mined through to its final processing, whether in terms of collective protection measures (the ventilation system in the underground mine) or the equipping of all employees and subcontractors with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), adapted to the risks associated with each operating station,” Managem said in a statement.

It added that the health of employees, including subcontractors, is closely monitored in line with usual best practice.

“The ore extracted from the Bou- Azzer deposit, whether underground or at plant level, is in a stable form that poses no health risk,” it said.

“No Arsenic-related occupational illnesses have been identified, nor any Arsenic-related illnesses in the Bou-Azzer mine region have been reported,” it said.

Managem added that it applies the highest international environmental protection standards.

In this respect, “Managem reiterates that the Bou-Azzer mine is certified to international standards (ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 26000, CSR Label, RMI) by leading agencies who confirm the effective implementation of the highest standards in the industry in terms of quality, safety and respect for the environment.”

As for water quality, it said annual studies and audits carried out, as part of ISO certification, “confirm that heavy metal and trace element analyses show no irregularities in concentration levels that exceed drinking and irrigation water standards.”

“Even if water retention basins can experience minor residual seepage under certain conditions, these present no hazard to nature, and are currently being upgraded in line with our commitment to zero impact on the environment,” it said.

Managem supplies cobalt to automotive manufacturers BMW and Renault amid a rising demand for an ore that is critical to EV batteries.