• Zgounder increased silver production by 193% in 2025 to about 149 metric tons after expanding its processing plant.
• The Moroccan mine overtook Managem’s Imiter complex to become Africa’s largest silver mine.
• Aya Gold & Silver targets average annual production of about 6 million ounces at Zgounder through 2036.

Morocco’s Imiter mining complex, operated by Managem, lost its status as Africa’s largest silver mine in 2025 after several years at the top of the ranking. The title now belongs to the Zgounder mine, operated by Canadian company Aya Gold & Silver and also located in Morocco.

In its financial report published in April 2026, Managem said Imiter produced 127 metric tons of silver during the past financial year, compared with 127.7 metric tons in 2024. Meanwhile, Zgounder posted a 193% year-on-year increase in silver production and produced 4.82 million ounces of silver, or about 149 metric tons.  The sharp increase largely resulted from operational gains linked to the expansion of the mine’s processing plant at the end of 2024.

Moreover, the development highlights a growing rivalry between Morocco’s two leading silver mining projects. On one side, Imiter remains a mature mining asset that has operated since 1969 and continues to deliver stable performance decades after production began.

On the other side, Zgounder continues to demonstrate the impact of investments launched by Aya Gold & Silver since 2019. The company now expects the mine to deliver average annual production of around 6 million ounces over an estimated mine life of 11 years, extending through 2036. That projection relies on roughly 73 million ounces of mineral reserves, slightly below the estimated 76 million ounces at Imiter.

However, Imiter retains a longer remaining mine life of around 13 years. These factors could shape the operational dynamics of both mines over the coming years, especially as both operators continue to identify additional growth potential across their respective assets.Meanwhile, the latest developments further reinforce Morocco’s position as Africa’s leading silver producer.

At the continental level, countries including Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa also contribute to global silver supply.

This article was initially published in French by Aurel Sèdjro Houenou

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum