Iron Ore – Sinosteel (Feraal)
Gâra Djebilet Mine (Tindouf)

Algeria

Gâra Djebilet (Tindouf province) located in Western Algeria is one of the most important iron ore deposits in the world. Discovered in 1952, it has an estimated reserve of over 2 billion tons, which is relatively rich in mineral (iron grading over 50%).

FERAAL (the national Algerian iron and steel company) has reached an agreement with the Chinese company SINOSTEEL Equipment & Engineering Co. Ltd to carry out the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies on the development of Gâra Djebilet iron-ore deposit development. The project includes the design of the processing plants and all necessary infrastructures to enable the transportation of materials and products, and the supply of water and energy, while taking into account the remote location of the mine.

The recovery of this iron ore is both strategic and challenging, and it should be noted that this project will position Algeria as a “leader”, on a continental scale, by establishing a production platform of international proportions. One of the main technical challenges of this project is to reduce the phosphorus content of the iron mineral (from 0.8% to 0.1%). The location and the remoteness of the site, away from all means of transport, is also an important issue for the profitability, that a new railway line will try to overcome.

SINOSTEEL has contracted IDOM to develop part of the pre- and feasibility studies for this important project. The scope of work includes studies on the infrastructure (railway line, port terminal, road transportation), supply of utilities (natural gas and water), environmental impact assessment, market analysis, and the economic and financial model of the project.

Mining