The first shipment of iron ore extracted from Gara Djebilet mine in Tindouf province, amounting to 1,450 tons, was transported on Tuesday, and the signal was given for the departure of freight cars toward Bechar province, where it will be directed for initial processing before being transported to the “Tosyali” complex in Bethioua (Oran province).
The loading ceremony was attended by the Minister of Interior, Local Authorities and Transport, Said Sayoud, the Minister of Public Works and Basic Infrastructure, Abdelkader Djellaoui, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, in charge of Mines, Karima Bakir Tafer, alongside local authorities and representatives of national institutions supervising the mine’s operation.
The ministerial delegation observed the different stages of the loading operation, as well as the level of technical and logistical readiness adopted to ensure the transport of iron ore under conditions compliant with applicable standards.
Members of the ministerial delegation affirmed that loading the first batch of iron ore from Gara Djebilet is an embodiment of the directives of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, aimed at developing national mining wealth, diversifying the national economy, reducing dependence on hydrocarbons, alongside creating sustainable development dynamics, especially in southern provinces.
They also highlighted the important economic and social impact of this project, through the direct and indirect jobs it will create, and its role in reviving industrial activity linked to the iron and steel industry, in addition to supporting non-hydrocarbon exports and strengthening Algeria’s position in the regional and international markets.
In statements to APS, officials in the mining sector confirmed that the Gara Djebilet mine, with its estimated reserves of about 3.5 billion tons of iron ore, of which about 1.7 billion tons are commercially exploitable, is considered one of the largest mining projects in Algeria, and is expected to constitute a fundamental tributary to the national economy and a driver for local development in Tindouf province and neighboring provinces.
