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July 23, 2024 | 5 months ago
Arkab in Annaba to Inaugurate Feldspar Processing Plant: Revival of a Long-Stalled Project
The Minister of Energy and Mines will be in Annaba this morning, among other activities, to inaugurate the feldspar processing plant.
This morning, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, will be in Annaba to inaugurate the feldspar processing plant. Additionally, the reactivation of the former Aïn Barbar quarry, located about twenty kilometers from the commune of Seraïdi (Annaba wilaya), is on the agenda. This initiative aligns with the national policy of exploiting the country's mineral resources and processing them locally, which will enable Algeria to add value to its non-ferrous metals.
Since 2020-2021, Algeria has been focusing on mining various minerals with the goal of attracting new investments and generating foreign currency revenue through diversification of its exports, which have traditionally been heavily reliant on hydrocarbons. Among these projects is the feldspar deposit at the former Aïn Barbar quarry.
The feldspar quarry, a highly sought-after material in the ceramics and glass industries, began production in 1984 but was abandoned in the early 1990s due to terrorist threats that drove away the local population. However, in 2015, the company for non-ferrous mineral products and useful substances (Enof) planned to revive the quarry, which had been inactive since 2003. A credit line of nearly 2 billion dinars was allocated for the project, with production initially scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2016. The project was to be divided into two phases: the first for installing a new feldspar processing line, with equipment sourced from specialized foreign suppliers, and the second to begin feldspar production, initially targeting 20,000 tons per year, eventually reaching a steady rate of 100,000 tons per year. At that time, Algeria was importing over 80,000 tons annually, costing the public treasury millions of dollars each year. The project was also expected to create 120 permanent jobs in a region with high unemployment. Unfortunately, the feldspar project at Aïn Barbar remained unfulfilled.
Feldspar is a crucial mineral in the ceramics and glass industries, serving as an excellent source of alumina, which enhances the hardness, durability, and chemical resistance of many products. In December 2023, the Minister of Energy and Mines instructed the launch of non-ferrous product processing plants in Annaba and Constantine. Arkab emphasized the urgent need to put these plants into operation, including the feldspar plant at Aïn Barbar and the calcium carbonate plant in El-Khroub, Constantine.
Following these instructions, the Algerian group Sonarem (formerly Manadjim Aldjazair or Manal) announced its intention to launch significant non-ferrous product processing plants in various regions of the country in 2024. This move is expected to boost the country's mining production amid rising global raw material prices.
The feldspar processing plant is already equipped with machinery purchased from the Italian company MEM, specializing in manufacturing and installing aggregate production equipment. The production line includes a jaw crusher, a mill, and a big-bag packaging system.
July 24, 2024 | 
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