Algeria Inaugurates Celestine Production Facility to Advance Strategic Mining Industry
The new facility, inaugurated by Secretary of State for Mining Karima Bekir Tafer in Bejaia Province, is expected to produce 50,000 tonnes of celestine annually, supporting Algeria’s drive to develop strategic minerals, expand non-hydrocarbon industries and boost exports.
BY Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS – Karima Bekir Tafer, Algeria’s Secretary of State to the Minister of Mines and Mining Industry in charge of Mining, inaugurated on Monday a new celestine production and processing facility in Beni Mansour, Bejaia Province, marking another step in the country’s strategy to develop its mining sector and diversify the economy beyond hydrocarbons.
The industrial project, developed by the Zergoun Brothers Group, reflects the government’s growing emphasis on mining as one of the strategic pillars of Algeria’s long-term economic diversification policy.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Bekir Tafer said the investment demonstrates the importance the Algerian state attaches to the mining industry as a driver of industrial development, value creation and sustainable economic growth.
She noted that the project aligns with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s directives to stimulate the national economy, strengthen domestic production and support greater participation by the private sector as a strategic partner alongside public enterprises in developing Algeria’s mining industry and reducing dependence on imports.
Strategic Mineral for Advanced Industries
Bekir Tafer highlighted the strategic importance of celestine, describing it as a critical mineral used in a wide range of advanced industries, including electronics, glass manufacturing and chemical production.
The facility has been designed with an annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes, enabling it to meet domestic demand while creating opportunities to export Algerian mineral products to international markets.
According to the Secretary of State, the project represents an important contribution to Algeria’s objective of achieving greater self-sufficiency in strategic minerals while enhancing the competitiveness of its mining industry.
Supporting Regional Development
Beyond its industrial significance, Bekir Tafer stressed the project’s expected socioeconomic impact on the region, noting that it will create 50 permanent direct jobs, in addition to numerous indirect employment opportunities, thereby contributing to local economic development.
She also reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting mining investors through the incentives introduced under Algeria’s new Mining Code and Investment Law, which aim to facilitate investment and encourage responsible exploitation of the country’s natural resources.
Citing the Zergoun Brothers Group as an example, Bekir Tafer said the project demonstrates how private-sector investment can contribute to maximizing the value of Algeria’s mineral wealth while complying with modern environmental and technological standards.
The inauguration reflects Algeria’s broader efforts to develop strategic mining industries, strengthen industrial integration, expand non-hydrocarbon exports and position the country’s mineral resources as a key component of its long-term economic transformation.
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