Algeria has announced plans to open its first plant to process iron ore extracted from the Gara Jbeilat mine in the Tindouf region. Belkacem Soltani, General Manager of Algeria’s Mining Industry Complex “Sonarm,” stated that the plant will have an annual production capacity of 4 million tons and is expected to become operational in April 2026.
The Gara Jbeilat mine, with reserves of 3.5 billion tons, is considered one of the largest iron ore deposits in the world. Algeria aims to leverage this mine in the new plant to generate significant economic benefits from its national resources.
Soltani emphasized that the plant will crush and grind the ore, sieve and dry it before storage and shipment, achieving over 85% efficiency with the methods employed.
In August, Algeria and China held talks on reducing phosphorus in the Gara Jbeilat iron ore project. Soltani noted that many major companies from the U.S., India, and China continue to show interest in investing in and collaborating on the mine. He also explained that Sonarm and several foreign companies have established joint working groups to develop modern methods for phosphorus reduction and accelerate local technical trials. Soltani highlighted the need to implement and speed up trials of the CISP and HIMLT methods to lower the phosphorus content in the ore.
Meanwhile, work continues on the steel production center project, a collaboration between the Veral – Sonarm Complex and Tosyali. The first production unit will have an annual capacity of 4 million tons, with plans to increase output to 10 million tons by 2032. The new plant will produce concentrate with a 63% iron content and reduced phosphorus levels, forming a preliminary stage for semi-finished steel production at Tosyali’s Oran complex.
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