Overview
Algeria produced 365 kg of gold in 2003, a 1.1% decrease from 2002’s 369 kg. The main gold producing facility is theTirek Amesmessa gold mine.
The main focus of Algeria’s gold sector is on the development of the Tirek and Amessmessa gold deposits located close to the border with Mali in southwest Algeria. At Tirek, 20 t of gold have been identified at an average grade of 17 g/t Au. The Tirek mine is owned by Enor and a substantial shareholder (34.12%) is the parastatal oil company Sonatrach. Mining of the deposit (consisting of a series of high-grade quartz veins) officially commenced in January 2002 using open-pit methods. Development costs were US$9 million, with the plant being designed and constructed by the South African company MDM. At Amessmessa, gold resources have been estimated at 70 t averaging 14 g/t Au. The Algerian Government is actively seeking partners to develop a mine that is expected to produce close on 100,000 oz/y.
At the Tiririne-Harane gold project, located near the Niger border 450 km east of the town of Tamanrasset, reserves are estimated at 481,000 t at a grade of 17.0 g/t Au.
Organisations (2)
Enor, Enterprise D’Exploitation des Mines D’or :[ Add More ]
Facilities (5)
Bou Khrada, Djebel Onk, Oued Amizour, Quenza, Tirek
Participating Organisations
Enterprise D’Exploitation des Mines D’or
Enor is developing the Tirek gold mine in Algeria.
