Click on the Map to see Algerian Mining
Potentialities 
DIAMOND | IRON | GOLD | SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES | LEAD-ZINC | BARITE | BENTONITE | SALT | KAOLIN | PHOSPHATE | DIATOMITE | DOLOMITE | FELDSPAR | FLUORITE | WOLFRAM-TIN | URANIUM | RARE EARTHS | GRANITES | GYPSUM | PERLITE | TALC
| Mining activity is secular in
Algeria and more than 30 minerals have been identified. The well known deposits are of
iron, salt, zinc, lead, barite, marble,…in addition to other deposits discovered like
gold, wolfram-tin, who constitute a mining potential to exploit or explore in the future,
and promising indices for diamond, rare earths, precious and semi-precious stones. Click on the Map to see Algerian Mining
Potentialities |
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Algerian mining potential comprises the following substances:
1 - DIAMOND
Prospection was carried out in Reggane area where a placer was find with 1500 grains of diamond. Exploration and surveying works are undertaken in this area and aim to find the primary source especially in the West African craton.
2 - IRON.
The big potential is located in the South-west part of the country and has 3.5 milliard tons of reserves grading 57% Fe. The deposits are Mecheri Abdelaziz and Gara Djebilet located at 250 km Eastward Tindouf.
The potential of the Northern part of the country is valued at 70 million tons, 60 million tons in Ouenza and Boukhadra areas and 12 million tons in Djebel Hanini-Setif area grading 60% Fe.
3 -
GOLD.
Gold deposits are basically located in the southern part of Algeria in the Hoggar area.
The reserves highlighted are about 100 tons.
As for the total potential, it is estimated at more than 200 tons.
4 - DECORATIVE STONES
AND FURTHER
The identified decorative stones areas are:
These deposits are characterised by a variety of colours, a homogeneous habitus, a shiny polish, and are easily accessible from the county town; mining conditions are favourable for an open cast method.
For semi-precious and precious stones, an inventory has been listed in the Hoggar in 1993 and 1996 by ORGM (National Bureau for Geological and Mining Research). This surveying showed 60 indicators comprising beryl, corundum, topaz, zircon, turquoise, piezo-quartz, kyanite, fluorite and decorative stones (agate, chalcedony).
5- LEAD-ZINC.
Lead-zinc potential is evaluated at 150 million tons of ore mainly situated in the North. Perspectives are oriented for developing Oued Amizour lead and zinc deposit (11% Zn and 3.2 % Pb with an average thickness of 49 m).
6- BARITE.
It is found essentially in the atlasic areas, some deposits are developed and other are in production with an annual output of 40,000 tons, primarily for drilling.
7 - BENTONITE.
It comes from the volcanic basins of tertiary formations in the western part, in Maghnia and Mostaganem areas; these occurrences are located near port and are accessible by road or by train. Bentonite production covers widely drilling needs. Some amounts are exported to the oil countries. The country possesses many potentialities for industrial development.
8
- SALT.
Salt reserves are important and are represented by :
These reserves can be enhanced by development of salt industry in terms of production and processing.
Big amounts can be intended to exportation.
9 - KAOLIN.
Four economic deposits have been identified in Tamazert, Sidi Ali Bounab, Chekfa and Djebel Debbagh areas. The production is limited and the exploitation of this substance can be improved.
10- PHOSPHATE.
Actual reserves are evaluated at 2 milliards tons, localized in Djebel Onk phosphated basin (Tebessa) and can be developed by open cast way with a maximum stripping ratio of 1/4.
These reserves represent only a part of the phosphate basin.
11 - DIATOMITE.
Many deposits exist near Mohammadia and Mostaganem towns. Their production is limited and can be developed.
12- DOLOMITES.
The country possesses a great number of deposits of this substance.
13 - FELDSPAR.
Aïn Barbar deposit reserves are of 7 million tons. The exploitation of this deposit is imminent.
14 - FLUORITE.
Many indicators are located in the North in gangue form in the metallic substances deposits but the output is not important.
In the Hoggar, two districts have been defined:
15 - WOLFRAM-TIN.
The potential is estimated at 123.6 tons of wolfram and 36.6 tons of tin, located in the Hoggar massif.
16- URANIUM.
An important potential has been located in the Hoggar massif.
17 - RARE EARTHS (Niobium, Tantalum,
Rubidium).
The potential is estimated at :
18 - GRANITES.
The granite potential for decorative stones is widespread in Algeria. Colors varied, the possibilities of exploitation of this substance exist.
19 - GYPSUM.
The country possesses a big potential of gypsum suitable for building materials (plaster), delay cement, and agricultural applications. The most important deposits are Dahra (Chellif area), Djebel Chegga, Mostaganem, Arzew, Sidi Bel abbès, Habouch (Mina Mountains) and Babors areas. Available informations are poor but gypsum is a common mineral in the Mediterranean area.
20- PERLITE.
It exists in the volcanic and sedimentary rocks near Maghnia area. It can be exported from local ports. Deposits are located near road and railway networks and can be exploited by open cast mining.
21- TALC.
Indicators are located in the East of the country, The hypothetical reserves vary from 200.000 to 600.000 tons for each index.