Abstract
Straddling between two contrasting structural features, the High-Atlas in east and the Tadla plain in west, the Beni-Mellal region has a diversified and enormous potential in terms of natural resources, especially building materials and ornamental rocks. The material quarries became widespread and represent one of the significant economic activities in the region. The aim of this study was to develop a GIS-database that includes several themes (layers) in order to properly locate all exploited quarries in the Beni-Mellal region and to analyze its relationship with geology, hydrographic and road networks, and market area. The material extraction takes place by the open-pits in rivers and by the quarries in the Atlas piedmont. The majority of aggregate such as sand and gravel is produced from alluvial deposits, flood plains, and stream terraces located along the Oum Er-Rbia and Oued Derna Rivers and its tributaries. The quarries located in the Atlas piedmont produce crushed rock aggregates from limestone and brecciated dolomite rocks of Lias age. More easily accessible, they could provide long-term quarry material production (in tonnage and quality), meeting the needs of the inhabitants of the region. Also, the Beni-Mellal Atlas region offers huge reserves ornamental rocks, namely travertine and limestone onyx deposited in the dolomite and coral-reef limestone of Lias.
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