Before the independence (1962), mining activity in Algeria was mainly directed towards the exploitation of iron and lead/zinc deposits.

Between the two world wars, Algeria was an important iron ore producer. Its production contributed to the prosperity of the processing industries in most European countries, particularly France, Great Britain and Germany.

During the fifties, and namely during the national liberation war, foreign mining companies accelerated the field skimming process and limited, even stopped any investment in this sector.

Shortly after the independence, foreign operators abandoned a lot of mines after making the best use of them; only the "viable" ones remained in activity such as the mines of phosphate, zinc, iron, barite, coal and rock-salt mines.

Since the nationalization of mines, which took place on May 1966, the national mining activity started to be organized for the research and exploitation of mineral substances. During the last 30 years, a prospecting effort contributed to develop the basic geologic infrastructure and to check off a great number of deposits and showings, some of which presenting real investment prospects for their exploitation and which the Algerian state decided to promote and valorize.

Owing to its experience in partnership and international co-operation, a much more flexible legislation, an appreciable human resources potential and a high standard of technical competencies, Algeria remains today a country open to unquestionable development prospects.