The creation of a dedicated ministerial department for mines and mining industries, formalized during the latest cabinet reshuffle by the President of the Republic this past Thursday, aligns with the Head of State’s forward-looking vision to inject fresh momentum into this sector. The goal is to position it as a key driver in diversifying the national economy, bolstering funding sources, and supporting domestic industry.
This is what the new Minister of Mines and Mining Industries, Mourad Hanifi, stated during yesterday’s handover ceremony at the Ministry of Hydrocarbons headquarters, where he already laid out priorities for the brand-new ministry.
Expressing thanks to the President for the trust placed in him—viewing the appointment as “a weighty national duty he will shoulder with dedication and honesty”—the Mines Minister highlighted the country’s vast potential.
“Algeria holds substantial mineral reserves, including phosphate, iron, zinc, lead, gold, and copper,” he noted, stressing that unlocking their value demands ramped-up exploration, modernization, and an integrated industrial strategy.
He affirmed the next phase will focus on rolling out a modern mining reform to boost transparency, spur investment, and provide an appealing legal framework, accelerating the conversion of natural assets into job-creating economic ventures.
He also emphasized priorities like fast-tracking major initiatives—such as the Gara Djebilet project, the Tala Hamza zinc and lead projects in Amizour, and the integrated phosphate scheme in eastern Algeria—alongside nationwide mining exploration programs.
Moreover, the minister stressed adherence to environmental standards, site rehabilitation, and sustainable resource use to harmonize economic growth with ecological safeguards. He reaffirmed commitment to forging a robust, integrated, and enduring mining sector that aids national economic diversification and enhances the country’s economic independence.
For his part, the Minister of State for Hydrocarbons, Mohamed Arkab—who handed over the reins to the new Mines Minister—stated that “this cabinet reshuffle reflects the ongoing reformist vision shaping Algeria, aimed at boosting economic efficiency and modernizing the energy sector in line with global shifts and national goals,” according to a Ministry of Hydrocarbons statement.
He added that hydrocarbons will remain a bedrock for sustaining the economy, meeting energy demands, and navigating worldwide changes, with continued pushes for investment growth, reserve expansion, and infrastructure upgrades using cutting-edge tech.
Arkab noted ongoing work to heighten sector appeal via incentives, specifying that the National Agency for Hydrocarbon Resources Valorization (ALNAFT) will soon launch the “Algeria Bid Round 2026” tender for exploration and investment to draw fresh partners and cement Algeria’s status as a premier, dependable energy hub.
The handover at the Mines department—attended by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Mines and Mining Industries, Sonatrach’s CEO, the Hydrocarbons Regulatory Authority president, and the head of the National Hydrocarbon Resources Valorization Agency—reaffirmed the need for sustained coordination between hydrocarbons and mining sectors. It underscored “implementing the President’s directives on the ground to advance national development goals and elevate Algeria’s economic standing.”