Discovery of Tropic Seamount Sparks Geopolitical Tensions in the Atlantic

April 12, 2025 – The 2017 discovery of Tropic Seamount, an underwater volcanic mountain rich in rare minerals, has reignited geopolitical tensions in the Atlantic, involving Morocco, Spain, Algeria, and the Polisario Front. This article explores the strategic maneuvers, diplomatic fallout, and long-term implications of the find, which holds enough resources to power the global green energy revolution.

Tropic Seamount: A Mineral Treasure in the Atlantic

In 2017, a British-Spanish geological expedition uncovered Tropic Seamount off the Atlantic coast, revealing a massive reserve of rare minerals, including tellurium, cobalt, barium, nickel, lithium, and vanadium. Initial estimates suggest the deposit could support the production of 277 million electric vehicles and hundreds of millions of solar panels, alongside critical applications in electronics and wind turbines. Located near Spain’s Canary Islands, the discovery promised to reshape the global supply chain for green technology.

Morocco’s Swift Legal Response

Weeks after the announcement, Morocco moved to secure its maritime boundaries, including the waters off the disputed Western Sahara. In 2017, the Moroccan government, under Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani, passed two laws delineating its maritime zones. Government spokesperson Mustapha El Khalfi described the move as a “sovereign decision” with economic, developmental, strategic, and diplomatic dimensions. On October 23, 2017, Morocco closed its borders with the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, aiming to exert economic pressure on Spain.

By 2020, Morocco finalized its maritime demarcation. On January 22, the Moroccan parliament unanimously approved the boundary laws, followed by the House of Counselors on February 4. The laws were published in the Official Gazette on March 31, and on April 3, 2020, King Mohammed VI ratified them, cementing Morocco’s legal claim during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regional Backlash and Escalation

Spain’s Concerns: Spain, preoccupied with the Catalan separatist crisis in 2017, initially delayed its response but later voiced alarm. In January 2020, the Spanish Foreign Ministry, under the Socialist government of Pedro Sánchez, rejected Morocco’s “unilateral” maritime expansion as illegal, threatening to escalate the matter to the United Nations and international arbitration. Spain feared Morocco’s claim could challenge its access to Tropic Seamount, given its proximity to the Canary Islands.

Algeria and Polisario’s Reaction: Algeria, a long-standing supporter of the Polisario Front, responded by deploying Polisario elements to block the Guerguerat border crossing in 2017, aiming to disrupt Morocco’s operations in Western Sahara. The crossing was blocked again on October 21, 2020, halting trade and causing billions in losses. On November 13, 2020, the Moroccan army intervened to reopen it. Meanwhile, on November 1, 2020, Algerians voted to amend their constitution, allowing military operations abroad for the first time. On November 14, Polisario announced its withdrawal from a 1991 ceasefire, resuming armed conflict with Morocco.

A Coordinated Strategy Against Morocco?

The sequence of events—Guerguerat closures, Algeria’s constitutional change, and Polisario’s ceasefire withdrawal within 22 days—suggests a coordinated effort. Analysts speculate Spain, seeking to secure Tropic Seamount, may have encouraged Algeria to pressure Morocco through Polisario. In return, Spain allegedly promised media, political, and financial support for Polisario’s separatist cause, leveraging EU influence to weaken Morocco’s position. Evidence of a Spain-Algeria alignment includes Algeria’s proposal to link Melilla with a maritime route and Spain’s secret hospitalization of Polisario leader Brahim Ghali in 2021. Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum’s 2020 statement that Spain’s Foreign Minister Arancha González could “speak on behalf of Algeria” further underscores their close coordination.

Morocco’s Strategic Counter: Normalization with Israel

Morocco anticipated the looming conflict over Tropic Seamount. In 2017, amid the Rif protests and its return to the African Union after decades of absence, Morocco delayed confrontation, focusing on strengthening its military through Chinese air defense systems contracted in 2016. By 2020, Morocco shifted gears. On December 10, 2020, it normalized ties with Israel under the Trump administration, securing U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Negotiations for this deal began in May 2018, shortly after Tropic Seamount’s discovery, reflecting Morocco’s foresight.

The normalization agreement bolstered Morocco’s military capabilities through rapid arms deals with Israel and solidified its diplomatic stance. The U.S. recognition disrupted Spain and Algeria’s plans, forcing a strategic recalibration.

Spain’s Reversal and Algeria’s Fallout

Spain’s attempts to sway the Biden administration against Morocco failed. Facing mounting pressure—including Morocco’s decision to allow African migrants to cross into Spain and a freeze on bilateral cooperation—Spain shifted its stance. In 2022, Spain endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty, paving the way for direct talks on maritime boundaries.

Algeria reacted swiftly, recalling its ambassador from Madrid, suspending trade, and freezing cooperation agreements. Algerian officials called Spain’s policy shift a “stab in the back,” hinting at a prior secret pact against Morocco.

Conclusion: Morocco’s Diplomatic Triumph

The Tropic Seamount discovery exposed the fragility of regional alliances, with Spain and Algeria allegedly conspiring to undermine Morocco’s maritime claims. Morocco’s strategic foresight—legalizing its maritime borders, normalizing ties with Israel, and securing U.S. support—thwarted these efforts, reinforcing its sovereignty over Western Sahara and its claim to Atlantic resources. As Algeria grapples with the fallout, Morocco emerges stronger, with King Mohammed VI’s leadership hailed for safeguarding national interests.