Gara Djebilet mining railway begins operational tests

Gara Djebilet mining railway trials have begun in western Algeria, with initial operating tests under way on the 950-kilometre Béchar–Tindouf–Gara Djebilet route. In a statement, ANESRIF described the test run as an early step toward supporting the mine’s output.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Gara Djebilet mining railway and the ore deposit it serves

The heavy-haul mining line is a core part of Algeria’s plan to develop the Gara Djebilet iron ore project. The deposits are described as among the world’s largest—estimated at 3.5 billion tonnes—and are located in Tindouf province near the Mauritanian border. Related background can be found in Railway Supply.

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CRCC-led construction and inauguration plans

China Rail Construction Corporation (CRCC) built the line with local partners including Cosider Travaux Publics, EPTP Alger, SEROR Est, ENGOA, Infrarail, SNTP, GCB, Infrafer, and SAPTA. Echoroukonline reported that the railway is expected to be officially inaugurated in the coming days, with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune set to attend, as reported by Zawya.

Processing timeline and expansion to other provinces

Echoroukonline also said the first primary iron ore processing unit at Gara Djebilet—designed to produce around 4 million tonnes per year—remains on track to be operationalised by the end of April 2026. The wider programme is intended to underpin the government’s plan to establish new iron ore processing plants in Tindouf, Béchar, and Naama.

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