Tindouf, Algeria – A significant milestone has been reached at the Gara Djebilet iron ore mine in Tindouf, with a large-scale blasting operation successfully extracting over 75,000 tons of iron ore. The state-owned mining company, Sonarem, announced the operation as a transformative step in the exploitation of this strategic project.
According to an official statement, the operation, overseen by the National Iron and Steel Company ‘FERAL’ (a subsidiary of Sonarem) and the National Explosives Office, represents a first-of-its-kind achievement in terms of volume. The entire process adhered strictly to industrial safety and security standards.
Sonarem emphasized that the blasting was conducted under controlled conditions, with full compliance to preventative measures. This allowed for the safe and efficient extraction of the substantial quantity of iron ore in a single blast. The extracted ore is intended to bolster national steel production.
The company further stated that similar blasting operations are planned on a monthly basis. These efforts are designed to increase the stock of ore available for processing and utilization within domestic steel plants, in line with presidential directives aimed at maximizing the value of local mineral resources and reducing reliance on imports. These operations are a key component of the country’s industrial strategy.
This event coincides with ongoing preparations for a historical ceremony marking the arrival of the first shipment of iron ore extracted from the Gara Djebilet mine to the province of Bechar. The shipment will travel via the Tindouf-Bechar mining railway line. This marks the first time since independence that such a shipment has been transported, signaling the project’s entry into a phase of actual connection to industrial production and transportation.
