TEBESSA – The Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, kicked off the opening of the works of phosphate mine in Bled El Hadba (extreme South of Tebessa) as part of the integrated project of extraction, conversion and exportation of phosphate.
During a working visit to Tebessa, accompanied by the CEOs of Sonatrach and Sonarem, Rachid Hachichi and Belkacem Soltani, as well as officials of his department, Arkab kicked off the first explosion in the vicinity of the mine intended for extracting and converting phosphate, manufacturing phosphate fertilizers and exporting them to the world markets once self-sufficiency has been achieved.
After receiving explanations on the different steps of the project, the minister said that “this project will bring a qualitative leap to the national economy and mining industry given its major importance as it passes through the three provinces of Tebessa, Souk Ahras and Annaba starting from Bled El Hadba mine which contains a significant reserve of raw phosphate that can be exploited for 80 years with more than 1,200 million tons of which more than 800 million are exploitable.”
He also noted that “the importance of the project also lies in the manufacturing of phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers, thus contributing to achieving the country’s food self-sufficiency as part of the State’s strategy aimed at creating a large number of agricultural perimeters that will require the supply of large quantities of fertilizers to prepare the soil.”
This project will be implemented by a 100% Algerian workforce and exclusively national expertise, led by Sonatrach and Sonarem, assisted by executives from Algerian Universities who will ensure the proper execution of the project, whose implementation will span over two years before beginning effective exploitation in early 2027, in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, affirmed Arkab.
