Algeria says it will stop importing iron and turn itself into a net exporter once production begins in early 2026 at Gâra Djebilet, one of the world’s biggest iron ore deposits.
The mine in the western province of Tindouf holds an estimated 3.6 billion tonnes of reserves, with at least 1.7 billion tonnes recoverable using current technology, the energy and mining ministry said.
The OPEC member, long dependent on iron imports due to underinvestment and strong domestic demand, is counting on the project to ease pressure on its trade balance and boost industrial growth.
Algeria is also developing smaller phosphate, zinc and lead mines across the country as part of a broader push to expand its non-hydrocarbon sector.
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