Energy Minister Arkab Holds Talks with Algerian Federation of Minerals, Mines, and Stone Industry Delegation: Focus on Enhancing Marble Mines Valorization

✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers- Algeria, May 6, 2024 –  Yesterday, the Minister of Energy and Mines hosted a meeting at the ministry’s headquarters with the president and members of the Algerian Federation of Minerals, Mines, and Stone Industry, led by Djalal Guitoune. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the progress of the framework agreement between the federation and the Italian Association of Marble, Granite, and Their Manufacturing Equipment Producers, initiated in 2022 with a focus on enhancing the value of Algerian minerals, particularly marble.

During the meeting, both parties discussed recent developments in implementing the framework agreement, specifically regarding training in marble mining and industrial transformation. This initiative is overseen by the industrial mining company Sonarem, through its subsidiary Sonarem Formation, as stated in the energy ministry’s statement.

Mr. Arkab emphasized Sonarem’s full commitment, along with its subsidiaries, to support the federation’s activities and initiatives aimed at attracting investments and assisting young enterprises in this sector to create value, develop skilled labor, and generate employment opportunities.

The meeting, attended by ministry officials, also explored ways to strengthen partnership and investment relations in marble and granite quarrying and their local transformation. The objective is to promote and enhance the value of national mining resources, develop domestic mining production, reduce imports, and supply the domestic market with these materials.

Since 2022, the Ministry of Energy and Mines has been implementing a strategy to valorize marble mines in Algeria, recognizing the country’s significant reserves and high-quality marble. During a previous meeting with the Algerian Federation of Minerals, Mines, and Stone Industry, led by Djalal Guitoune, and the president of the Italian Association of Producers and Transformers of Natural Stones and Manufacturers of Machinery, Installations, and Auxiliary Products for Stone Processing (Confindustria Marmomacchine) Flavio Marabelli, Mr. Arkab called for the development of a strategy to enhance the value of marble mines in Algeria.

Arkab stressed the importance of developing this strategy to increase production and meet the current national market demand, considering Algeria’s significant reserves, potential, and high-quality marble. He also highlighted the need to promote the marble sector through training, expertise acquisition, and local investment, aiming to increase the national integration rate.

The mining sector, including the National Marble Company (Enamarbre) and Algerian private companies in this field, is working towards optimal exploitation of marble mines and quarries, which will contribute to diversifying the national economy and creating jobs.

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