The President of the Republic said during his periodic meeting with national media representatives, broadcast Saturday evening on national television and radio channels, that "the next step following last week's launch of the Western mining line will be the Oued Amizour mine, where initial drilling operations will begin by late March."

"We are now about to launch the project with the consent of local residents," noting that the process of settling matters with landowners is in "its final stages," he added.

Regarding the Gara Djebilet iron mine, President Tebboune emphasized its strategic importance due to "its high returns and substantial economic impact," noting that it will initially save "1.5 billion dollars in hard currency currently spent on importing iron ore for the steel complexes in Oran, Jijel, and Annaba, before moving to export and offsetting part of hydrocarbon revenues in a later phase."

ccording to the plan, the Gara Djebilet project "will enable Algeria to completely stop importing iron ore within three years at most," President Tebboune said.

"All studies conducted by specialized firms from various countries confirmed the project's effectiveness and clear economic viability," he continued.

Addressing campaigns questioning the viability of this project, the President of the Republic said that these criticisms "contradict the consensus of various studies," noting that they "come from people with ill intentions who serve the interests of countries that themselves acknowledge the importance of this project."

In this regard, he noted that the Western mining line built to transport the mine's products by rail will deliver "major social and economic impacts, breaking the region's isolation and generating employment," adding that the Gara Djebilet project is expected to generate "a total of 18,000 jobs."

This achievement will also have a positive impact on goods availability and prices in the southwest region, the President of the Republic continued, noting that a first-class ticket on the Tindouf-Bechar line "costs no more than 1,700 DA, which is affordable compared to other transport options."

On the Eastern mining line connecting the Bled El Hadba mine to Annaba port, the President of the Republic underscored that once the Western mining line is completed, "all national railway construction capacity will be redirected to this line," noting that "of the total 450 km, only 150 to 175 km remain, which will be completed within a year or slightly longer."

He added that Algerian phosphate will be loaded at the mining wharf of Annaba port " between late 2026 and mid-2027."

Separately, the President of the Republic said that the national railway network is being expanded to reach the far south of the country, with the Algiers-Tamanrasset line expected to become operational in 2028 "if all goes according to plan," while the network will reach Adrar "between late 2026 and the first half of 2027."

President Tebboune

Oued Amizour mine project to start before end of Q1 2026