An Algerian-Chinese delegation, led by the Deputy General Manager of the National Iron and Steel Company (Feraal-SPA), began a working visit to the Béchar province (southwest of Algeria) as part of the implementation of a steel complex project aimed at the valorization of the Gara-Djebilet iron deposit in Tindouf. This information was revealed on Wednesday by provincial authorities.
The delegation consists of senior officials from Feraal and their Chinese partners involved in this major industrial project, specifically CAMC, which specializes in engineering services, and Shandong Province Metallurgical-SDM, which specializes in the steel industry. They were greeted by the Wali (governor) of Bechar, Mohamed Said Ben Kamou, according to local authorities.
During the visit, the delegation toured the Toumiat industrial zone, located 40 km north of Bechar, where the project will be situated. They reviewed ongoing site operations, including the construction, electrification, and equipping of ten water wells costing over 1 billion DA to meet the water needs of the future steel complex, as well as electricity and natural gas transportation and distribution networks, according to the source.
Additionally, an electrical transformation station of 440/220/60 kilovolts is being constructed by the Electricity Transport Company (STE, a Sonelgaz subsidiary) at a cost exceeding 4 billion DA to meet the electricity requirements for various phases of the project’s realization and operation.
Moreover, a natural gas supply station is planned to cater to the needs of the upcoming steel complex.
The delegation also visited a 1,000-hectare plot of land, expandable to 3,000 hectares, reserved for the construction of future units of this major industrial project slated for completion by 2026.
With a budget of 1 billion dollars, the project, executed by the Chinese consortium CMH (comprising CWE and MCC) in partnership with Feraal, aims to produce rail tracks and steel profiles through its multiple units. One notable unit is a joint venture for producing concentrated iron ore in partnership with Tosyali’s steel complex in Bethioua (Oran) and Feraal.
Once completed, the complex will feature additional units for iron processing and transformation, as well as a manufacturing entity for wagons to transport iron ore from Gara-Djebilet to Bechar and the Bethioua steel complex in Oran. This will be facilitated by the Bechar-Oran and Bechar-Tindouf railway lines, with the latter currently under construction.
Beyond its contribution to the industrial and economic growth of the province, this significant project underscores high-level national decisions regarding the exploitation and enhancement of the Gara Djebilet iron deposit. It plays a pivotal role in the economic and social development of several southwestern regions and is expected to create thousands of new jobs.
