The official news agency of Algeria, "Altogeria", published a report entitled "Aqab: The country is determined to resume mining activities" on October 16. The full text is excerpted as follows:
Mining Minister Mohamed Arkab stated in Skikda on Thursday night that “the country is determined to resume mining activities”.
At a press conference held at a marble factory in Skikda, the minister said: "The necessary measures and financial resources have been prepared to revitalize the country's mining industry and raw material production." He made it clear that "the country will spare no effort to restore this. Activities and reduce import costs".
The Minister emphasized that Algeria currently imports 31 types of minerals, metals and other materials with a total value of 1 billion U.S. dollars. There are still many unexploited mines in the country. These mines will be reactivated to produce raw materials and metals, and new ones will be created. job opportunity.
The Minister added that the revitalization of the mining industry is part of the government's plan to achieve economic diversification, and pointed out that a road map has been drawn up in this regard for subsequent amendments to the mining law. He believes that mining laws must be "more attractive to investment and investors."
The minister said: “Algeria must be self-sufficient in marble and focus on exports.” He added, “The 20 marble quarries in the country can only meet 15% of the local market demand, and an annual import of 500,000 tons of marble and granite. "
Regarding the mining of uranium, the minister confirmed that Algeria has “large reserves of this material” but pointed out that “the development or mining of this material is not on the agenda”.
In addition, the minister stated that his department is working hard to implement youth cooperation projects to explore and develop gold mines in the southern part of the country and other areas, and believes that artisanal activities will not be limited to gold but can also be extended to other minerals.
