The Algerian authorities have decided to finally develop some mineral resource fields, which are expected to benefit the country's raw material self-sufficiency in the future and to support local steel producers in the long run.
According to a recent announcement, Algeria is going to give a green light to the development of the Ghar-Djebilet iron ore mine, located in the province of Tindouf, and the zinc deposit in the province of Bejaia. In particular, the Algerian president has instructed the members of the government to start the exploitation of the two mines, emphasizing their importance in the process of generating added value and supporting the state revenues in the long run.
The development of the iron ore deposit may eventually help improve the efficiency of the local steelmaking units through the diversification of raw material sources, which are currently being mainly sourced abroad. “It is an investment of $15 billion and it will take at least four years,” a local steel producer told SteelOrbis. “Many years ago the idea was to implement a beneficiation plant to produce good pellet feed and sinter feed. But the transportation and the port issues are the key challenges,” he added. The reserve of the iron ore deposit is preliminary estimated as 2 billion mt with an iron content of 58.57 percent, according to the technical presentations.
