Algeria Counts on China and Turkey to Reactivate Gara Djebilet Iron Mine

In a trilateral partnership involving China and Turkey, Algeria plans to reopen the Gara Dejbilite iron ore mine. China’s Sinosteel and Turkey’s Tosyali form part of a consortium with the Government of Algeria on this project, which is represented by the state-owned enterprise FERAAL.

Sinosteel provides technical assistance and supplies specialized equipment to process the high-phosphorus ore at Gara Djebilet. As part of a JV, Tosyali takes part in concentrating the ore, before smelting it into steel.

On 1 February 2026, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Teboun officially inaugurated the 600-kilomter railway linking the Gara Djebilite iron ore mine. The upgraded railway will facilitate the transport and export of the iron ore from Gara Djebilet to Tindouf and Bechouar. The train transported the first shipment from the mine to the Tosyali complex in Bethouia, Oran province. The mine itself restarted operations in 2022 on a pilot basis.

Discovered in 1952, Gara Djebilet has an estimated reserve of 3.5 billion tonnes, with 1.7 billion exploitable using current technology. The mine is located in the Sahara Desert near the Moroccan border.

Initially, the mine can produce some 4 million tonnes of ore annually. By 2030, production is expected to ramp up to 12 million tonnes per annum. The, by 2040, Algeria would like the output to go as high as 50 million tonnes and make Algeria self-reliant on iron and steel imports. Then, Algeria expects to shave nearly USD 1.2 billion off its import bill and create 15,000 direct jobs.