Algeria

Introduction 

In 2024, Algeria was estimated to be the world’s fourth-ranked producer of helium, accounting for about 6% of global production. The country’s major nonfuel mineral products included gypsum, nitrogen (ammonia), and phosphate rock (Brioche, 2026; Crangle, 2026; Goodin, 2026; Jasinski, 2026). 

Minerals in the National Economy 

In 2024, Algeria’s real gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 3.7%. The country’s nominal GDP was \$269 billion. The hydrocarbons sector, a major contributor to the country’s economy, accounted for 17% of the GDP. In 2023 (the latest year for which data were available), the mining and quarrying sector employed 8,385 people, accounting for 8% of total industry sector (Bank of Algeria, 2025, p. 121; Office National des Statistiques, 2025, p. 44; World Bank, The, 2026). 

Government Policies and Programs 

The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Algeria is provided by law No. 14–05 of February 24, 2014. The Ministry of Energy and Mines is responsible for regulating geologic and mining activities in the country through Algerian Geological Survey Agency, National Agency for Mining Activity, and the mining group Manadjim El Djazair-Manal S.p.A. (Manal Group). More-extensive coverage of Government policies and programs can be found in previous editions of this chapter in the U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook, volume III, Area Reports—International—Africa and the Middle East, which are available at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/afric…;

Production 

Data on mineral production are in the Production table (formerly table 1). 

Structure of the Mineral Industry 

There were three types of ownership for the mineral sector companies in Algeria—State owned, privately owned, and partnerships between the state-owned companies and international or domestic companies. The state-owned Manal Group represented Government interests in Algeria’s mining sector. The Facilities table (formerly table 2) is a list of major mineral industry facilities. 

Mineral Trade 

Based on trade data in 2024 (Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2026), Algeria’s exports of metal ores, slag, and ash were estimated to be valued at about \$30 million, of which Italy was the leading destination, accounting for 25%, by value. Exports of raw industrial minerals were estimated to be at about \$580 million, of which India and the United States received 17% and 14%, respectively. Exports of base metals and articles of base metal were estimated to be \$860 million, of which Turkey received 29%. Imports of metal ores, slag, and ash were estimated to be at \$740 million, of which Canada and Brazil supplied for 36% and 31%, respectively, by value. Imports of raw industrial minerals were estimated to be \$110 million, of which Turkey supplied 24%. Imports of base metals and articles of base metal were estimated to be \$3.85 billion, of which China supplied 47%. 

Commodity Review 

Helium.—Algeria has extracted helium from natural gas. In response to higher natural gas prices, the country has prioritized the export of natural gas over the production of helium, leading to lower helium output. Conversely, when natural gas prices were lower, Algeria shifted its focus toward helium production. In 2024, Algeria produced an estimated 11 million cubic meters of helium, most of which was exported. France and the United Kingdom were the leading recipients of Algeria’s helium, receiving 37% and 14%, respectively. Between 2021 and 2024, the United States imported about total 34 million cubic meters of helium, of which Algeria accounted for 10% (Goodin, 2026; Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2026). 

Nitrogen.—In 2024, Algeria’s production of ammonia (N content) was estimated to have remained at about the same level of 2.03 million metric tons as that in 2023 (Production table). The country’s leading ammonia producer, Sorfert Algérie S.p.A., owned by a joint venture of Fertiglobe plc of the United Arab Emirates (51%) and Sonatrach S.p.A. (49%), started operations of a new boiler at its plant in Oran Province. The company expected to reduce the plant’s susceptibility to external gas and power supply fluctuations (Facilities table; Fertiglobe plc, 2024). 

Phosphate Rock.—In November, a new mining firm, Algerian Chinese Fertilizers Co. (ACFC) commenced development of the Bled El Hadba integrated phosphate project in Tebessa Province. ACFC assessed that the project areas held about 2.2 billion metric tons of phosphate rock reserves. Commercial production was scheduled to commence in 2027. The mine was expected to operate for 80 years (Nhede, 2024). 

Production table

(Metric tons, gross weight, unless otherwise specified)

References Cited 

• Brioche, A.S., 2026, Nitrogen (fixed)—Ammonia: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 136–137. 

• Crangle, Rob, 2026, Gypsum: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 94–95. 

• Fertiglobe plc, 2024, Fertiglobe reports Q3 2024 results: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Fertiglobe plc, 13 p. (Accessed March 26, 2026, at https://ent.news/2024/11/936.pdf.) 

• Goodin, R.C., 2026, Helium and rare gases: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 96–97. 

• Jasinski, S.M., Phosphate rock: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 142–143. 

• Nhede, Nicholas, 2024, Algeria launches $7B phosphate megaproject: Energy Capital & Power, November 20. (Accessed March 26, 2026, at https://energycapitalpower.com/algeria-launches-7b-phosphate-megaprojec….) 

• Office National des Statistiques, 2025, Activité industrielle de 2014 à 2023 [Industrial activity 2014–2023]: Algiers, Algeria, Office National des Statistiques, February, 45 p. (Accessed March 26, 2026, at https://www.ons.dz/IMG/pdf/ActiviteInd2014_2023.pdf.) [In French.] 

• Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2026, Global trade data statistics: Trade Data Monitor LLC. (Accessed March 25, 2026, via https://www1.tdmlogin.com/tdm/default.asp.) 

• World Bank, The, 2026, Algeria: Washington, DC, The World Bank. (Accessed March 26, 2026, at https://data.worldbank.org/country/algeria.)