Arkab discusses strengthening bilateral cooperation with the Russian Minister of Natural Resources in Moscow

     The statement explained that the meeting, which came within the framework of preparations for the 13th session of the Algerian-Russian Joint Governmental Committee for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, took place in the presence of the Algerian Ambassador to Russia, as well as the Russian Ambassador to Algeria, the President of the National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources, Samir Bakhti, the President of the Hydrocarbons Regulatory Authority, Amine Remini, and a number of officials from the two ministries, and from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Industry.

     The meeting, the statement adds, provided an opportunity to review the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation in the mining and mineral industries, with both sides emphasizing the "strength of relations".

Algerian-Russian" and on "the shared will to strengthen the economic and investment partnership, especially in strategic sectors with high added value."

     The talks also explored prospects for cooperation and partnership between Algerian and Russian institutions across the various stages of the value chain in the mining sector, particularly in the areas of research, exploration, exploitation, processing and mineral processing, with a focus on strategic and critical minerals and rare earth elements, given their increasing importance in advanced technology industries and renewable energy applications.

     The talks also addressed ways to enhance cooperation in adopting best practices related to sustainable development and upgrading environmental standards in mining and industrial activities, in order to ensure the optimal and responsible exploitation of natural resources.

     On this occasion, Mr. Arkab gave a comprehensive presentation on Algeria’s strategy for developing the mining sector, highlighting the significant mineral potential of the country, and the major programs launched by the state to enhance these resources and transform them into a real lever for diversifying the national economy outside the hydrocarbons sector.

     The Minister of State also reviewed the ongoing reforms aimed at improving the investment climate in the sector, particularly through the new legal framework regulating mining activities, developing geological infrastructure, enhancing research and exploration programs, and providing geological data to investors, thereby ensuring greater attractiveness for national and foreign investments in accordance with international standards.

     In this context, Mr. Arkab highlighted the structural mining projects that Algeria attaches particular importance to, such as the integrated phosphate conversion project, the iron ore deposit exploitation project in Gara Djebilet, and the zinc and lead exploitation project in Oued Amizour, as they are strategic projects that would support national manufacturing, provide raw materials for processing industries, reduce the import bill, and create new jobs, especially in the interior and southern regions.

     Mr. Arkab also called on Russian institutions and companies to seize the investment and partnership opportunities available in Algeria, and to contribute to the development of major mining projects, through the establishment of partnerships based on mutual benefit, technology transfer, industry localization, human resource development, and also to benefit from Russian expertise in these areas.

     For his part, the Russian minister expressed his country's interest in strengthening cooperation with Algeria in the mining sector, praising the great potential of the Algerian mining sector and the reforms aimed at developing it.

     He also confirmed the readiness of specialized Russian institutions to expand their presence in Algeria and contribute to research, exploration, exploitation and processing of mineral resources.