Ranked 26th globally and 3rd in the MENA region (North Africa and Middle East) in terms of gold reserves, Algeria is a major player in the production of this strategic natural resource for global central banks.
According to the ranking at the end of September 2024 from the specialized site Trading Economics, Algeria has a gold reserve of 174 tonnes, placing it in first place in Africa, ahead of South Africa and Nigeria.
Algeria is indeed a country very rich in natural resources and has several gold mines. All are found in the Algerian Sahara, notably in Djanet and Tamanrasset.
The Amesmessa and Tirek gold mines, located about 400 kilometers southwest of Tamanrasset, are the best known. Amesmessa is also operated by ENOR, the Gold Mines Exploitation Company.
Algeria wants to produce more gold
According to Belkacem Soltani, the CEO of Sonarem, the National Company for Research and Exploitation of Mines, Algeria produced a significant quantity of gold over the period from 2022 to the end of December 2024.
He told APS that Algeria produced more than 351 kg of gold between artisanal and industrial production.
While speaking about the opening of a workshop dedicated to the development of the lithium pole in Algeria, the official said that Sonarem is currently willing to expand mining exploration opportunities by opening its market to interested and ready foreign companies. to invest in gold or other natural resources.
He specified that Chinese, Indonesian, Belgian and Malaysian companies have already shown their interest by proposing several investment offers in several mining sectors in Sonarem, reports the Echourouk media.
Soon the resumption of the Amesmessa and Tirek mines
Still according to Belkacem Soltani, “ around 46 licenses will be given in 2024 to institutions wishing to exploit it “, he stressed, referring to traditional gold mining.
This measure will not only create jobs for Algerians, but also increase national production of this precious metal.
Mr. Soltani also foresees a significant increase in traditional gold mining for the coming years in Algeria, “ after the resumption of the Amesmessa and Tirek gold mines after more than a decade of suspension ».
