11 billion dirhams claimed from Morocco: hearing set for July 2028

The tribunal constituted under the auspices of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has set the next steps in the proceedings concerning the Khémisset potash mine project.

According to the regulatory announcement published by Emmerson, Morocco must file its counter-memorial in January 2027. This document will present all of its defense arguments, its objections concerning the tribunal’s jurisdiction, as well as the evidence on which it intends to rely.

Emmerson will respond in October 2027, before a final Moroccan reply scheduled for January 2028. The parties will then appear before the arbitrators from July 17 to 26, 2028. Witnesses and experts may then be questioned and cross-examined.

On Bladi.net : A company claims $1.215 billion from Morocco

This timetable follows the rejection, in July, of the bifurcation request submitted by Rabat. Morocco wanted certain jurisdictional objections to be examined separately, before consideration of the merits of the case. The tribunal decided to address both questions in the same proceedings.

This procedural decision does not, however, mean that Morocco has been found liable. It merely determines how the arguments of both sides will be examined.

A hearing, but not yet a verdict

The subsidiaries Khemisset UK Limited and Potasse de Khemisset S.A. are claiming 1.215 billion dollars, or nearly 11 billion dirhams. This amount, including interest and net of local taxes, was calculated by the financial experts appointed by Emmerson.

The British company accuses Morocco of expropriating its project and violating several provisions of the bilateral investment protection treaty concluded with the United Kingdom. In particular, it alleges a failure to provide fair and equitable treatment, as well as measures it considers discriminatory.

These accusations have not yet been judged. Morocco may challenge both the jurisdiction of ICSID and the arguments and amount put forward by Emmerson.

The dispute stems from the blocking of the Khémisset potash project. The Moroccan authorities had refused the environmental authorization necessary for its implementation, particularly because of its water consumption. Emmerson, on the contrary, maintains that its mining project had already reached an advanced stage and that its halt caused it to lose considerable revenue.

On Bladi.net : British Mining Firm Seeks $2.2 Billion from Morocco in World Bank Arbitration over Potash Project

The proceedings were initiated on April 30, 2025, by the group’s two subsidiaries, and then registered by ICSID on May 23 under number ARB/25/22. Emmerson filed its main memorial, accompanied by documents, witness statements and expert reports, in March 2026.