Algeria has inaugurated the first 100-kilometre segment of the Béchar–Tindouf–Gara Djebilet railway line. Stretching from Béchar to Abadla, this segment forms part of a larger 950-kilometre megaproject known as the Western Mining Railway Line.
This initiative, spearheaded by a consortium of Algerian state-owned companies in partnership with a major Chinese engineering firm, is poised to transform mineral transportation and industrial output in the country.
Western Mining Railway Line
The pace of construction completing the initial segment in less than 18 months—has been hailed as an “engineering miracle” by national authorities. It reflects both the urgency and strategic importance of the project, which is tailored to support the exploitation of the Gara Djebilet iron ore deposit. This deposit, located in the remote southwest, is one of the largest untapped iron reserves in the world, and its full development has long been constrained by logistical and infrastructural limitations.
Once fully operational, the railway is expected to handle up to 50 million tonnes of raw and processed minerals annually, making it one of the highest-capacity mineral corridors in Africa. This new transport network is not only intended to streamline the movement of iron ore from the Gara Djebilet deposit to processing plants and export terminals in northern Algeria, but also to serve as a foundation for broader economic and industrial development.
By improving logistics and reducing the cost of mineral transport, the railway is expected to boost Algeria’s domestic iron and steel industry, attract foreign investment, and reduce reliance on imported raw materials. Additionally, the project fits squarely within Algeria’s broader strategic goal of becoming a regional industrial and logistics hub, especially as the country seeks to strengthen its role in continental trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). As construction progresses toward its final phase, the Western Mining Railway Line stands as a symbol of ambition, technical collaboration, and a renewed push toward economic diversification and industrial self-reliance.