The road construction sector is a worldwide high consumer of natural aggregates. The use of unusual industrial by-products in road techniques can contribute to the conservation of non-renewable natural resources and the reduction of wastes produced by some industries. Phosphate waste rocks could be considered as potential alternative secondary raw materials in road construction. The use and valorization of these wastes is currently limited according to the Moroccan guide for road earthworks (GMTR). The guide has classified these materials as waste products, which consequently, cannot be used in road construction. However, phosphate waste rocks are sedimentary natural rocks which have not been subjected to any transformation other than mechanical fragmentation. The goal of this paper is to discuss key-properties of various phosphate mine waste rocks (PMWR) to be used as road materials. Samples were taken from different stockpiles in the phosphate mine site of Gantour in Morocco. The different waste rocks samples were characterized in terms of their physical, geotechnical, chemical, mineralogical and environmental properties using international testing norms. The obtained results showed that the studied PMWR presented satisfying characteristics; the specific (particle) density: ρs > 26 kN/m³, Los Angeles abrasion: 45% < LA < 58%), methylene blue value MBV < 1 g/100g, organic matter: OM < 1% and plasticity index: PI < 20%. All PMWR were confirmed as possessing the requested geotechnical properties to be used as materials for embankments. Moreover, leaching tests showed that none of them released any contaminants. In field application, these materials have been also successfully used in in situ experimental pilot testing. Therefore, the PMWR have to be classified in the category of natural aggregates that are similar to conventional materials.

The Moroccan phosphate deposits are the largest in the world. Phosphatic layers are extracted in open-pit mines mainly in the sedimentary basins of Gantour and Ouled Abdoun in Central Morocco. The purpose of this study was to prospect and evaluate the water potential of aquifers incorporated in the phosphatic series using the following geophysical methods: Magnetic resonance sounding (MRS), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), time-domain electromagnetics (TDEM), and frequency-domain electromagnetics (FDEM). The objective was, on the one hand, to contribute to the success of the drinking water supply program in rural areas around mining sites, and on the other hand, to delimit flooded layers in the phosphatic series to predict the necessary mining design for their extraction. The use of geophysical methods made it possible to stratigraphically locate the most important aquifers of the phosphatic series. Their hydraulic parameters can be evaluated using the MRS method while the mapping of their recharge areas is possible through FDEM surveys. The results obtained in two selected experimental zones in the mining sites of Youssoufia and Khouribga are discussed in this paper. The application of the implemented approach to large phosphate mines is in progress in partnership with the mining industry.

The Sidi Ifni region in southwest Morocco is mainly composed of crystalline rocks with limited groundwater storage capacity. These water resources drain in particular fault zones with high fracture permeability. The main objective of this study is to describe the geological structure of the region to optimize future drilling locations. The gravity data were processed using various techniques, such as total horizontal gradient, tilt derivative, and Euler deconvolution, in conjunction with the interpretation of the geological data, to create a new structural map. This map confirms the presence of many previously identified or inferred faults and identifies significant new faults with their respective trends and depths. Analysis of this map shows that major faults are oriented NNE-SSW and NE-SW, while minor faults are oriented E-W, NW-SE, and NNW-SSE. The superposition of the hydrogeological data and the structural map reveals that the high groundwater flow values in the boreholes are located in the vicinity of the major faults and talwegs. The structures deduced from the filtering and interpretation of the gravity data suggest that the hydrogeological system of the Ifni Inlier is controlled by its structures. To confirm this impact, a high-resolution electrical resistivity map (7200 Hz) was used, with penetration depths ranging from 84 to 187 m. Negative boreholes, located in high resistivity ranges corresponding to sound basement formations without fault crossings, showed high resistivity values. The positive holes, located in anomalies with low linear resistivity, revealed the impact of fault crossings, which drain water and tend to decrease the resistivity values of the formations. Therefore, these new structural maps will assist in planning future hydrogeological studies in this area.

The Gantour Phosphatic Basin (GPB) is formed by a sedimentary series of Maastrichtian to the Eocene age, which consists of alternating phosphate layers and sterile levels. This series outcrops in the northern part of the basin, where it is exploited in open-pit mines. The exploration methodology employed by the Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) group to investigate the GPB is based on direct recognition with boreholes drilled on a 500 × 500 m grid. This research is concerned with the compilation and analysis of data collected during several drilling campaigns conducted on the central segment of the GPB, namely the Louta deposit. This research also includes acquiring, processing, and interpreting new geophysical and hydrogeological data. Its main objective is to provide a better understanding of the deep structure of the phosphatic series. Therefore, the present study was carried out according to a multidisciplinary approach that comprises three parts. (i) The first one involves geological modeling of the exploration borehole data using Datamine Studio RM software (version 1.4), developed by Datamine Corporate Ltd., (Bristol, United Kingdom). It results in establishing a series of geological cross-sections that display a detailed view of the deep structure of the phosphatic series and its lateral variations. (ii) The second part is related to the hydrogeological study, whose purpose was to elaborate on an accurate and updated piezometric map of the study area. The new map helps understand the groundwater flow in the Louta deposit. Furthermore, the superimposition of the piezometric level with the geological sections throws light on the flooded volume of phosphate in this deposit. (iii) The third part of the study focuses on implementing the Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) method. The interpretation of the recorded geoelectrical data not only highlights the main features controlling the mode and the proportion of the phosphate series deepening under the Plio-Quaternary cover but also confirms the evolution of the overall structure of the studied area. The obtained 2D ERT models generally corroborate the cross-sections produced by geological modeling. They also correlate with the information provided by the hydrogeological study. Such information will help guide future hydrogeological and mining extraction planning in the studied area.

The phosphate extraction and processing has followed a traditional linear consumption model, where wastes are continuously produced and surface land is filled in rock piles. Thus, to promote a circular economy in a mining context, more eco-friendly and sustainable solutions at the regional level are needed. This paper deals with the potential utilization of phosphate screening waste rock 0–100 mm (SWR) as alternative aggregates for pavement applications. Detailed in situ and laboratory tests have been made for SWR characterization, and the practical modalities of implementation have been defined. The findings proved that SWR (10–100 mm) materials can be successfully used without treatment in capping layer construction for low-volume traffic pavement projects. Due to its high apatite content, the remaining fraction (0–10 mm) can be exploited to recover the residual phosphate using the processing method that is currently followed by the mining company. Furthermore, the environmental investigations showed that SWR does not present any potential contamination risk to the surrounding environment. The economic feasibility analysis confirmed the workability of SWR reuse in a radius of 100 km around their dumps due to its lower cost compared to conventional aggregates. This simple amendment may ensure a smooth transition from a current linear extractive approach to a circular economy.

In the digital era, highlighting the heritage resources of a mountainous region involves describing and advertising them to promote their visibility and attractiveness. Previous studies mainly assess the natural resources of such regions through a multi-indicator descriptive evaluation. This study aims to develop an effective evaluation of such indicators along the main tourist route of the M’Goun UNESCO Global Geopark, located in the central High Atlas of Morocco. The implementation of an experiential method to assess the tourism characteristics of this region is a notable aspect of our study. It includes analyzing the criteria for choosing this destination by segmenting tourists’ consumption experiences. Statistical data analysis has identified five dimensions of destination choice and four visitor groups. Additionally, we created an interactive map and made it accessible online to promote the natural geoheritage of this region. This article proposes to discuss the findings of this research and their applicability in terms of tourism destination management and decision-making, which can assist local governments in allocating tourism resources and land use rationally.