Nécessité de développer le secteur minier pour contribuer à la diversification de l’économie nationale
Development of the Mining Sector in Algeria: A Strategic Initiative
On a recent visit to Oran, Karima Tafer, the Secretary of State under the Minister of Energy responsible for mines, emphasized the urgent need to enhance the mining sector in Algeria. She highlighted that such development is crucial for diversifying the national economy and generating added value.
During her remarks to the press, Tafer made it clear that her inspection of the wilaya aligns with a comprehensive plan designed for the mining sector’s growth. She characterized this sector as strategic, capable of playing a significant role in driving both economic growth and diversification. Furthermore, she noted that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune places great importance on the mining sector as a means to boost exports and mitigate reliance on imports.
As part of her tour, Tafer inspected a site associated with the Tosyali steel complex, which focuses on storing iron sourced from the Gara Djebilet mine located in Tindouf. She underscored the importance of iron in the production ecosystem and its potential impact on domestic and international markets.
In addition, she visited the Kristel marble quarry, part of the National Aggregates Company, situated in the Sidi Benyebka municipality. During this visit, Tafer provided directives aimed at enhancing the value of the quarry’s products, with plans for both export and meeting national market demands. The director of Kristel, Ahmed Sahraoui, shared insights about their operations, indicating that the unit produces around 2,500 cubic meters of marble annually from three different quarries (red, yellow, and pink) spanning 157 hectares.
Sahraoui mentioned that the existing marble reserves are substantial, estimated at 4 million cubic meters. He also noted the success of previous export operations, which included 200 tons of red marble sent to China and Spain, with an additional 2,000 tons projected for export to these countries in 2025. He also announced plans to resume operations at the yellow and pink marble quarries around 2026, which suggests a positive outlook for the sector.
Overall, Tafer’s visit and her discussions underscore a strategic approach to bolstering Algeria’s mining sector, highlighting its potential to foster economic growth while aligning with national goals of reducing import dependency and increasing export capacity. The emphasis on modernizing and utilizing resource-based industries like mining could play a significant role in shaping a more resilient and diverse economy moving forward.
