Ranked 26th globally and 3rd in the MENA region (North Africa and the 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 September 2024 ranking by the specialized site Trading Economics, Algeria has gold reserves of 174 tonnes, placing it first in Africa, ahead of South Africa and Nigeria.
Algeria is indeed very rich in natural resources and has several gold mines, all located in the Algerian Sahara, particularly in Djanet and Tamanrasset.
The gold mines of Amesmessa and Tirek, located about 400 kilometers southwest of Tamanrasset, are the most well-known. Amesmessa is exploited by ENOR, the Gold Mining Exploitation Company.
Algeria Aims to Increase Gold Production
According to Belkacem Soltani, CEO of Sonarem, the National Society for Research and Exploitation of Mines, Algeria has produced a significant amount of gold from 2022 to the end of December 2024.
He confirmed to APS that Algeria produced over 351 kg of gold between artisanal and industrial production.
While discussing the opening of a workshop dedicated to the development of the lithium sector in Algeria, the executive stated that Sonarem is currently open to expanding mining exploration opportunities by opening its market to foreign companies interested and ready to invest in gold or other natural resources.
He added that Chinese, Indonesian, Belgian, and Malaysian companies have already shown interest by proposing several investment offers in various mining sectors to Sonarem.
Upcoming Resumption of Amesmessa and Tirek Mines
According to Belkacem Soltani, “about 46 licenses will be issued in 2024 to institutions eager to exploit them,” referring to traditional gold mining.
This measure will not only create jobs for Algerians but also increase the national production of this precious metal.
Mr. Soltani also anticipates a significant increase in traditional gold mining in Algeria in the coming years, “after the resumption of gold mining in Amesmessa and Tirek following more than a decade of suspension.”
