ALGIERS – The Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab stressed, Saturday in Algiers, the need to anticipate the expected rise in the price of raw minerals on world markets, by ensuring the exploitation of nationally available resources.
In a speech at the opening of a workshop on “mineral resources in Algeria”, Mr. Arkab announced the revision of several measures relating to the development of the various mineral resources, currently imported, due to the price increase planned for the coming years, noting that this is an approach included in the development of the exploration and exploitation of national mineral resources.
The orientation of the world economy towards green energy will inevitably lead to an increase in demand on mineral resources, and by extension their costs, he explained, recalling the forecasts of the World Bank affirming that in 2050, the prices of raw minerals will experience a significant increase.
Lithium will see an increase of 498%, graphite 494% and cobalt 460%, according to WB figures.
“These forecasts impose the need to find, as of now, alternatives to face the lack and to associate the mining sector, in an effective way, in the world economic development and to use new technologies of exploration”, underlined Mr. Arkab.
A roadmap has been put in place aimed at optimizing unexploited mines, he recalled, highlighting the achievements made in terms of the exploitation of gold mines, as well as the launch of the Gara Djebilat projects ( iron), Oued Amizour and integrated phosphate.
He also highlighted the research program (2021/2023) launched by the national agency for mining activities and the national office for geological and mining research worth 4.8 billion DA.
The development of national industry can only be achieved with local products that are not properly exploited, he added.
For Mr. Arkab, these products are “the main source of development” that it is important to use given their availability, in quantity and quality, at the national level.
The work of this workshop took place in the presence of officials and executives from the mining sector, in addition to representatives of mining operators, experts and teacher-researchers in the fields of geology and mining.
Also present were the representative of the Ministry of National Defense (MDN), the commissioner for atomic energy, the CEO of the mining industrial group Manadjim El Djazaïr (Manal), the president of the electricity and gas regulation commission, representatives of the Sonatrach group and the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL).
