The Director General of the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, Omar Rekkach, chaired a working meeting on Tuesday at the agency’s headquarters to follow up on the progress of the iron ore valuation project at the Gara Djebilet mine, one of Algeria’s most significant major structural projects. The meeting was attended by the CEO of the National Mining Research and Exploitation Group (SONAREM), Reda Belhadj, and the Vice President of the Tosyali Algeria group, Alp Topcuoglu, along with a representative from the General Directorate of National Domain and officials from the agency, reflecting the high-level importance of this project.
The discussions centered on the iron ore valuation project, which is part of an integrated national vision to develop the iron and steel industry. The project aims to process Gara Djebilet ore and produce concentrated iron using advanced phosphorus removal technologies, with an annual production capacity estimated at 4 million tons. This will enable the valuation of national natural resources and their transformation into industrial added value.
This project, implemented by the joint venture FTTF in the Toumiat industrial zone in Bechar province, is the result of a strategic partnership between the National Iron and Steel Company (FERAAL), a subsidiary of the SONAREM group, and the Tosyali Algeria group. With an investment exceeding $750 million, the project is expected to create at least 760 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs, boosting economic dynamics at both local and national levels.
The talks also addressed the practical aspects of implementing the project in Bechar province, as it is a fundamental link in the integrated Gara Djebilet mine project. It is expected to serve as a real lever for reviving national heavy industry, reducing import dependency, and enhancing the country’s industrial and mineral security, while supporting the policy of diversifying the national economy.
In this context, Rekkach confirmed the commitment of the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency to support this strategic project throughout its various stages. This support includes facilitating the acquisition of necessary licenses and enabling the project to benefit from the full range of incentives managed by the agency, particularly the provision of designated economic land and tax and paratax advantages, ensuring the acceleration of the project’s entry into operation and consolidating its position as a flagship project for industrial and economic development.
