Mining production posts slight increase, energy regresses

Mining activity in Morocco posted, in the first three months of 2001, a slight increase of 1% while energy output declined by 1%, according to the Statistics department.

The source ascribed the increase in mining to the production of non-metal minerals, mainly phosphates. For the second three months of 2001, the heads of 400 enterprises who took part in the survey expect an increase in their activity.

Meanwhile, regression in the energy production is imputed to a slight decline in electric energy output. A 10% progress in this sector is expected in the second three months of 2001, due to better performances of oil refining.