The mining sector saw significant developments in 2024, with accelerated progress on various mining projects launched by the government to diversify the national economy and promote non-hydrocarbon exports.
In this context, the CEO of the Sonarem Group, Belkacem Soltani, stated in an interview with APS that 2024 was “a positive year compared to the previous one for the mining sector,” as the Group achieved 95% of its set objectives, in line with directives from the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, particularly regarding the rapid implementation of strategic projects such as the Gara Djebilet iron mine (Tindouf), the Bled El Hadba phosphate project (Tébessa), and the Oued Amizour zinc-lead project (Béjaïa).
These three integrated mega-projects, he emphasized, are under constant supervision by the authorities to ensure the mobilization of resources for their completion within the set deadlines, given the expected impact of these investments on the national economy in terms of foreign currency revenues and the production of essential materials for the industrial and agricultural sectors.
Presiding over a Council of Ministers meeting in October, the President of the Republic stressed the need to implement structural mining projects “at maximum speed until they become operational,” ensuring compliance with all previously established decisions due to their weight and major positive impact on the national economy.
Regarding the Gara Djebilet mine project, which includes investment in a new railway line linking Béchar–Tindouf–Gara Djebilet, significant milestones have already been achieved.
Following the extraction of over 250,000 tons of iron ore since the mine’s opening, parallel work has begun on constructing a pre-processing unit and a transformation plant, both scheduled to enter production by the end of 2025.
Work has also started on the new 950 km railway line, with plans to deliver the first section (Béchar–Abadla, 98 km) during the first quarter of 2025.
This section is part of a larger railway project comprising three major segments: Béchar–Abadla–Hammaguir (200 km), Tindouf–Oum Laassel (175 km), and Hammaguir–Oum Laassel–Tindouf–Gara Djebilet (575 km), totaling 950 km.
In the same effort to develop the Gara Djebilet mine, intensive work has also been undertaken on the integrated phosphate project at Bled El Hadba (Tébessa) and Oued Kebrit (Souk Ahras).
For this project, the mine opening has begun, along with the construction of a complex for the production of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers at Oued Kebrit.
In parallel, an extension of the mineral quay dedicated to the phosphate project is underway at the port of Annaba. Additionally, the 23 km railway link connecting the mine to the main railway line has been completed.
Regarding the zinc and lead project at Oued Amizour (Béjaïa), all necessary procedures have been finalized, and the compensation process for public utility land acquisition has been launched.
In this context, a contract was signed in November 2024 for the construction of the mine and a processing plant between the Algerian-Australian joint venture “Western Mediterranean Zinc” (WMZ) and the Chinese company “Sinosteel,” both of which committed to a “rapid” execution pace for the project.
Furthermore, the mining exploration program yielded “good results” in 2024, with the discovery of unexpected mineral deposits in several provinces, paving the way for the creation of industrial hubs in those regions.
According to the Minister of State, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies, Mohamed Arkab, several ongoing exploration efforts are part of the national mining exploration program covering 23 provinces.
The completed and ongoing operations will, according to him, update the national mining map and help establish integrated hubs combining various associated processing industries.
Source : APS, 31 déc 2024