Morocco to Reopen Rif Mines, Former Migrant Hideout Near Melilla Border

These abandoned caves of Mount Iksane, which became the refuge of sub-Saharan migrants before jumping the Melilla fence, will soon be occupied by trucks, miners and engineers who will resume the excavations, reports La Informacion.

A few days before the assault of the sub-Saharans (1,700 according to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior) on the Melilla fence on June 24, the Moroccan gendarmes had driven them out of their camp set up on Mount Gourougou, causing them to move to Iksane, in the abandoned mines. After the tragedy of June 24, the Moroccan agents carried out new raids in the area to expel the migrants who remained in Iksane and transfer them to the south of the kingdom.

This decision aims to fight against illegal immigration, reduce the dependence of the Nador region on the smuggling trade with Melilla and compete with the new iron ore mines that Algeria has sold to China, say Moroccan police sources who refrained from confirming whether this issue was discussed during the recent high-level meeting between senior Spanish and Moroccan security officials.

The Moroccan government has issued a call for investors through the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) which holds the old mining licenses of the Rif Company, founded in 1908 and dissolved in 1984. Interested investors have until November 1 to express their interest. On November 2, the Moroccan Ministry of Mines will open the bids and sign a 50-year concession with the selected investor.