Algerian Radio
With the recent green light for the exploitation of major mining facilities, such as Gara Djebilet (Tindouf) and Tala Hamza Amizour (Bejaia), and the anticipation of launching the integrated phosphate project in the east of the country, Algeria has cemented the actual foundation for a qualitative shift in its developmental path. This also signals a real renaissance in the mining sector that will have major economic repercussions on the future of the country as a whole.
This transformation comes within the framework of the forward-looking vision of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, aimed at making the country's capabilities, including mining resources, a pillar for a renaissance that the new and victorious Algeria relies on to build a prosperous future at all levels for future generations. This is part of an approach based on economic diversification and the smart channeling and exploitation of resources according to the foundations and principles of strengthening national economic sovereignty.
The President of the Republic has affirmed on numerous occasions that the State's investment in a promising sector like mining aims to establish new pillars and resources for the national economy in the coming stages, for the benefit of future generations, within the framework of seeking to establish a diversified economy not tied to a single resource.
Indeed, the year 2026, which will witness the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the nationalization of its mining sector (May 6, 1966), will be the year of the mining sector par excellence. This follows the start of exploitation at the massive iron mine in Gara Djebilet, in parallel with the new Gara Djebilet-Tindouf-Bechar railway line on the first of last February—a memorable historic day in the victorious new Algeria, according to the consensus of observers and numerous bodies at home and abroad.
On the occasion of supervising the opening of the line (950 km), the President of the Republic made sure to emphasize that this project, which highlights the "Algeria of challenges," expresses an "integrated strategic vision to valorize and invest our natural resources and national wealth," alongside "connecting the deep south with the rest of the country's regions."
Furthermore, the Gara Djebilet mine, with its reserves of 3.5 billion tons of iron ore, constitutes the first stage of a structured and integrated national project that will contribute to cementing the goals of national economic orientations. This is in addition to the zinc and lead mine in Oued Amizour in Bejaia, which entered the exploitation phase in the middle of this month, as well as the project to build the railway line for the Bled El Hadba mine and the Annaba mining berth, expected to become operational by the end of this year.
The entry of the zinc and lead mine project into the exploitation phase also represents a new step in the process of reviving the mining sector, in light of the accelerated dynamism it has witnessed in recent years, primarily aimed at valorizing national mining potential and enhancing its contribution to development. In this context, the mine valorization works were launched after the completion of all necessary administrative procedures and the removal of recorded obstacles.
Algeria as a Future International Player in Fertilizer Exports
Located in the Amizour and Tala Hamza areas, this mining project is considered one of the largest lead and zinc deposits in the region, with significant reserves qualifying it to be one of the fundamental pillars of the national industry in the field, with geological reserves estimated at 53 million tons.
It is expected that the annual production capacity of raw ore will reach 2 million tons, to be directed to processing units, while the annual production of concentrate after processing is expected to reach 200,000 tons per year. The project is also expected to contribute to the creation of more than 700 direct jobs, in addition to about 4,000 indirect jobs, as well as stimulating the network of subcontracting, startups, and small enterprises.
Furthermore, aside from being a promising economic project, it is part of an accelerated dynamic driven by the direct guidance and keenness of the President of the Republic, with the aim of launching structural mining projects that boost national production and propel manufacturing industries forward.
On another note, the integrated phosphate project (Tebessa) is witnessing an acceleration in its pace of completion. It is expected to make Algeria one of the most prominent exporters of phosphate and nitrogenous fertilizers in the world, given its capacity to raise its phosphate production from 2.5 million tons annually to 10.5 million tons.
The first phase of this project includes the exploitation of the Bled El Hadba mine and the local processing of the raw mineral to extract 10 million tons, of which 6 million tons will be directed as raw material to the wilaya of Souk Ahras. In a second phase, a chemical processing complex will be built for the production of intermediate and final products, including fertilizers and soil enrichers.
The third phase concerns the expansion of the mining port in Annaba, in parallel with the accelerated pace of completing the eastern railway line, which connects the Bled El Hadba mine to the port of Annaba. This line extends over a total distance estimated at 450 km, with only 150 to 175 km remaining to be completed.
The port expansion project will enable the reception of large-tonnage ships, which will transform the wilaya of Annaba into a global logistics platform capable of attracting major international shipping companies and increasing the competitiveness of mining products in foreign markets.
The shipping of Algerian phosphate at the mining berth in the port of Annaba will commence between late 2026 and the end of the first half of 2027 at the latest, with the aim of increasing Algeria's fertilizer production capacity.
