Catalyst Mines unveils remarkable chromium findings at Amasine project in Morocco

Catalyst Mines Inc. has recently announced striking results from its Spring 2025 trench sampling campaign at the Amasine project, located in Morocco's Siroua region. The exploration has confirmed high-grade chromium mineralization, alongside significant cobalt and nickel anomalies.

The findings revealed chromium concentrations that peaked at an impressive 270,350 parts per million (ppm), with an average of 10,880 ppm across the sampled trenches. Nickel values averaged 1,481 ppm, reaching as high as 3,719 ppm, while cobalt averaged 102 ppm, with peaks of 304 ppm.

“These trenching results are nothing short of exceptional,” stated Tyler Burpee, CEO of Catalyst Mines Inc. “The scale and grade of the chromite mineralization at the surface positions this project as a serious contender in the global critical minerals supply chain.”

The chromite mineralization is observed in both massive and disseminated forms, primarily hosted within serpentinite matrices, a geological context that is favorable for large-scale, open-pit mining.

Catalyst Mines estimates that the Amasine project encompasses approximately 609 million tons of serpentinite-hosted ore, with a preliminary in-ground value exceeding $60 billion.

Mustapha El Gorphi, a technical advisor to the project and former chief geologist of the neighboring Bou Azzer mine, remarked, “This is a geological system in Morocco with global implications.” He further noted that the chromite textures and associated cobalt-nickel signatures closely resemble those found in Morocco’s most productive critical mineral districts, with even greater surface expression at Amasine.

The current phase of exploration includes an aggressive 20-hole, 4,000-meter drill campaign aimed at confirming the vertical continuity of the identified anomalies and delineating mineral resources. The company is employing advanced GIS-integrated geological modeling and high-resolution sampling methods to facilitate this effort.

Catalyst Mines has strategically positioned itself as a first mover in Morocco’s mining sector, establishing a corporate presence that enables it to secure and develop geologically viable land focused on cobalt deposits. While Morocco lacks crude oil reserves, it is rich in mineral deposits, including phosphates, lead, fluorite, and antimony.

The company’s emphasis on cobalt aligns with the surging global demand, particularly for battery production in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. By 2026, projections indicate that battery applications will account for 61% of the global cobalt demand, a notable increase from current levels.

Morocco’s mining sector is increasingly appealing to international investors, with the Fraser Institute ranking the country as the top investment destination in Africa and the 16th globally for mining, surpassing regions like Ontario, British Columbia, and Finland. The strategic location of Morocco, coupled with free trade agreements with the United States and the European Union, further enhances its attractiveness for critical minerals development.

Catalyst Mines’ next steps involve initiating drill testing of high-priority chromite zones, conducting detailed metallurgical analysis and 3D resource modeling, and progressing toward NI 43-101 compliant resource estimation and scoping studies.