Algeria’s ambitious mining project in Ghar Djebilet is rapidly evolving into a key pillar of economic diversification and job creation, with nearly 9,700 direct jobs already generated and large-scale industrial infrastructure under development.
Stretching over 950 kilometers, the strategic railway line connecting Ghar Djebilet to Bechar forms the backbone of the project, enabling the transport of vast iron ore reserves from one of the world’s richest untapped deposits.
According to officials from Tindouf province, the initiative has created 7,200 positions for Algerian workers and 2,500 for Chinese technicians and engineers.
The mine, which spans 40,000 hectares, holds more than 3.5 billion tons of iron ore spread across western, central, and eastern zones. Current operations are concentrated in the 15,000-hectare western region, where activity has intensified since the project’s launch.
Tindouf’s governor, Mustafa Dahou, confirmed that “approximately 400,000 tons of iron ore are already prepared for initial processing.”
He added that the pace of development continues to accelerate as construction advances on six high-capacity processing plants.
These facilities include two plants with an annual output of four million tons each, others designed to handle eight and ten million tons, and a flagship unit with a capacity of 18 million tons per year.
These state-of-the-art plants are equipped with environmentally conscious technology aimed at mitigating water scarcity—one of the region’s critical challenges.
Governor Dahou highlighted that the Algerian company “Feral” has been entrusted with mine operations, while a Chinese firm has been contracted solely for the construction of the factories, in strict accordance with the signed agreements.
Described as a turning point in Algeria’s economic strategy, the Ghar Djebilet project embodies the country’s vision to move beyond oil dependency and unlock the potential of its vast mineral wealth, transforming a long-held dream into a transformative reality for the nation’s south.
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