Physical Address
Indirizzo: Via Mario Greco 60, Buttigliera Alta, 10090, Torino, Italy
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab.
The need to increase the added value of the mining sector was highlighted by the Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, according to whom this strategic area will make it possible to reduce the import bill, develop several industrial sectors, to accelerate the diversification of the economy based on the exploitation of mineral resources, in addition to creating wealth and jobs.
“We are all aware of what the mining sector can bring to many processing industries, hence the imperative to increase the added value of this sector to a much higher level,” said Mr. Arkab, Thursday, during the ceremony celebrating the 58e anniversary of the nationalization of mines and the 57e anniversary of the creation of the National Company for Mining Research and Exploitation (Sonarem), held at the Abdelatif-Rahal International Conference Center (CIC), under the patronage of Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui.
Arkab astressed that this increase in added value should reduce imports, thus allowing the State to save millions of dollars and generate income through the improvement of different industries such as marble, calcium carbonate, barite, feldspar, kaolin, zinc and gold.
In this context, the same official emphasized the State strategy aimed at reviving the mining sector, based on the revision of the legislative framework, the expansion of the country’s mining base through the development of mining research programs, in addition to the development and moderation of the development of mining resource maps, and the implementation of structuring megaprojects and the development of human capital.
He also mentioned the importance of the directives of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, relating to the encouragement, development and modernization of agricultural activities, through the local production of urea and phosphate fertilizers in all their forms. forms, without recourse to imports, with a view to guaranteeing the national food supply in a permanent and stable manner to achieve food security.
Concerning the revision of the mining code, the minister affirmed that this capital project will make it possible to “adapt the legislative texts to developments in the mining sector and increase its attractiveness for investors, while preserving national interests”.
The minister expressed his “absolute certainty” that the prospects for the sector are promising, “thanks to the experience and expertise as well as the mobilization of executives and employees to implement the strategy aimed at continuing the research and exploration, the renewal of our mineral reserves, the development of the manufacturing industry. He cited, in this sense, the iron mine of Gara Djebilet, the zinc and lead mine of Oued Amizour-Tala Hamza (Béjaïa), the phosphate mine of Bled El-Hedba (Tébessa) as well as the mine of Oued Kebrit (Souk Ahras).
It should be remembered that the national map of mineral resources established by the National Company for Mining Research and Exploitation (Sonarem) will be ready at the end of 2024, with a view to launching new mineral exploitation projects. This map will therefore allow a better reconstitution of national reserves of raw materials, in order to support industries and export processed products made from these materials.
Referring to the process of nationalization of mines on May 6, 1966 and the creation of Sonarem on May 11, 1967, Mr. Arkab affirmed that Algeria’s recovery of its sovereignty over its mineral wealth was made possible thanks to “the determination loyal patriots, workers, executives and national skills.”