Algeria plans to launch a mining plant to process ore from Gara Jebilet in 2016

Algeria plans to commission a mining and processing plant for iron ore from the Gara Djebilet deposit (Tindouf province) by the end of April 2026, according to SteelOrbis.

The plant, managed by Sonarem, a national mining industrial group, will process up to 4 million tons of ore per year using advanced crushing technologies, with a recovery rate of over 85%.

Sonarem CEO Belkacem Soltani said that several large international companies from the US, India, and China have shown significant interest in investing and cooperating in Algeria’s mining sector, particularly in Gara Djebilet. Joint working groups have been set up between Sonarem and some of these companies to develop modern methods of reducing phosphorus content and accelerating local technical trials.

The project launched by Sonarem is part of Algeria’s broader plan to exploit its mineral resources and build a diversified, sustainable economy.

At the same time, according to reports in the Algerian press, work is also progressing rapidly on the construction of the first unit of an industrial complex for processing iron ore from Gara Djebilet as part of a partnership between FERAAL (a subsidiary of Sonarem) and Tosyali Algeria. The plant will produce 4 million tons of iron ore concentrate and pellets per year. It is also expected that by 2032, these volumes will reach 10 million tons.

The Gara Djebilet iron ore deposit is one of the largest in the world. Its reserves are estimated at 1-3 billion tons.

It should be noted that Italy and Algeria are considering joint construction of a DRI production plant. The agreement between Italy’s CEIP Scarl and Algeria’s Copresud is estimated at €1 billion.