Preparatory work for the development of the entrance to the zinc and lead mine located in the municipalities of Amizour and Tala Hamza in the province of Bejaia began on Tuesday, in anticipation of putting this major project into service. The Governor of Bejaia, Kamel Eddine Kerbouche, accompanied by the CEO of the mining industrial group Sonarem, Reda Belhadj, and the CEO of the National Company for Non-Ferrous Mining Products and Useful Materials, Fateh Zarifi, oversaw the official start of the development works.
The launch of these works follows the instructions of the country’s high authorities, after completing all necessary administrative procedures, removing recorded obstacles, and making all arrangements to begin the exploitation of this mine. In this context, the Governor noted the ongoing process of compensating landowners affected by this strategic project, which is expected to contribute to the valuation of national mining resources and open promising horizons for economic development, in addition to creating jobs for the province’s youth.
He also highlighted the provincial authorities’ commitment to continuous monitoring of the various stages of the project to ensure progress according to the specified deadlines and required technical standards. For his part, Sonarem CEO Reda Belhadj confirmed that the Amizour and Tala Hamza zinc and lead mine project, which aims to extract at least 170,000 tons of zinc and 30,000 tons of lead annually, is one of the most important strategic projects in Algeria’s mining sector. He noted its economic and developmental dimensions, contributing to national mining wealth and economic sovereignty.
He added that the project will create a significant number of jobs for the region’s youth and support the province’s economic dynamics, stressing the close monitoring of construction phases to ensure work proceeds within the set timeframe and according to the highest technical standards for major mining projects. Fateh Zarifi, CEO of the National Company for Non-Ferrous Mining Products and Useful Materials, explained that this mine is among the most important globally due to its reserves and economic significance, noting that the project is of great importance to the country.
It is noteworthy that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, during a cabinet meeting last January, emphasized the need for this promising economic project to launch in March 2026, given the jobs and economic benefits it provides for the region and Algeria in general. Last week, the Governor of Bejaia chaired a coordination meeting dedicated to completing final arrangements before starting the implementation of the zinc and lead mine exploitation project located between the municipalities of Tala Hamza and Oued Amizour.
