Morocco’s TitanBeach Titanium Project Sees Chinese Partnership
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Morocco's TitanBeach Titanium Project Sees Chinese Partnership
- The TitanBeach project in Morocco, focusing on heavy mineral sands rich in titanium, recently secured a mining license for a 16 square kilometer area on August 12, 2026.
- This development follows a new agreement signed on July 10, 2026, establishing a joint entity called Shan Tang Mining, which includes a Moroccan company and a state-owned engineering and construction group.
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A titanium extraction project, known as TitanBeach, located along Morocco’s Atlantic coast between Tan-Tan and Tarfaya, is moving forward with preparatory work for a pilot plant. This project, which recently obtained Morocco’s first operating license for a coastal sand deposit on August 12, 2026, involves Canadian firm Steadright Critical Minerals. Steadright holds a 76.5% stake in its Moroccan subsidiary, NSM Capital, which in turn has a 32% carried interest in the TitanBeach project through Shan Tang Mining, a newly formed entity. This carried interest means NSM Capital, and by extension Steadright, will not be responsible for further funding or dilution.
The TitanBeach project targets black sands containing significant concentrations of heavy minerals, with exploration samples from 2025 indicating up to 14.9% titanium dioxide and 79.5% iron oxide. The initial production capacity of the plant is projected to be 180,000 tons of ore per year, with the potential to double to 360,000 tons annually. The environmental permit for the project has completed its public inquiry phase and is awaiting final approval.
Titanium is recognized as a critical and strategic mineral by various nations, including the US, EU, and Canada, due to its importance in defense, aerospace, medical, and industrial applications. China is currently the largest producer of titanium metal globally and possesses the largest titanium ore resources. The development of the TitanBeach project is anticipated to bolster Morocco’s titanium supply chain, particularly for its aviation manufacturing industry, and enhance its overall critical mineral capabilities.