In Morocco, quarry operators are hoping for a change in the law that would increase the maximum operating duration for a quarry from 15 to 20 years in order to give them more time to render their operations profitable.
It is reported that this comes as the Moroccan Minister for Equipment and Transport, Aziz Rabbah, presents his bill on quarry exploitation to the chamber of representative's commission for infrastructure, energy, mining and the environment. It will now be up to MPs to decide whether they approve of the measures presented. In theory, the government can extend an operating agreement linked to the processing industry if the investment exceeds MAD 50 million (€4.5 million/US$5.81 million).
Quarry operators are also in favour of extending the two-year grace period allowing them to bring their activity in line with new legislation to four years.
