Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, presented a detailed overview of strategies for developing Algeria’s mining sector to the National People’s Assembly’s Committee on Economic Affairs, Development, Industry, Trade, and Planning on Thursday. The session, chaired by Samira Barhoum, also included the Secretary of State in charge of Mines, Karima Bakir Tafer, the President of the National Agency for Mining Activities, Mourad Hanifi, and several ministry officials.
Minister Arkab emphasized that the session aligns with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s strategic direction to establish the mining sector as a central pillar for economic development and diversification, moving away from reliance on hydrocarbons. The goal is to transform natural resources into added value that contributes to national development.
The Minister stated that a thorough assessment of the sector revealed significant mining potential and untapped resources. However, the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remains limited due to long-standing structural challenges. These challenges include insufficient investment in research and exploration, a lack of updated geological data, and the continued importation of minerals available locally, such as iron, barite, bentonite, calcium carbonate, marble, and granite. This dependence places a burden on foreign currency reserves.
Arkab also pointed to the limitations of the previous legal framework (Law 14-05), inadequate infrastructure, especially in rail transport and ports, and difficulties in project financing, technology transfer, and human resource development. He highlighted that the new law governing mining activities, enacted last August following extensive consultations under the President’s instructions, marks a turning point. This legislation streamlines procedures, reduces the time required to grant mining permits, and establishes a single-window system. It also allows investment in exploration without requiring incorporation as a legal entity and enables the transfer, leasing, or mortgaging of permits to secure bank financing. The roles of specialized agencies, such as the National Agency for Mining Activities and the Geological Survey of Algeria, are also strengthened.
The Minister outlined the key objectives of the new strategy, emphasizing the transition from basic mineral extraction to a fully integrated mining industry. These include projects focused on the Gara Djebilet iron ore deposit.
