On July 7, a milestone was reached in the construction of Africa's first desert heavy-haul railway as the 135-kilometer priority section of Algeria Western Mining Railway Project  successfully completed track laying. The project is being undertaken by CRCC.

Algeria Western Mining Railway Project represents the largest infrastructure project that Chinese companies have undertaken in Algeria, developed through a partnership between CRCC and Algerian state-owned enterprises. Spanning 575 kilometers, the railway will link the Gâra Djebilet mine deposits in Bechar and Tindouf provinces. Once operational, the line will establish crucial logistics corridors connecting mining sites, industrial areas, and ports, strengthening Algeria's national rail network and fostering economic integration across the country's southwestern regions.

The completed priority section traverses the heart of the Sahara Desert, where construction teams faced extreme conditions including scorching temperatures, arid climate, and challenging geological terrain. To overcome these obstacles, the project team pioneered innovative solutions, developing Algeria's first comprehensive standards for desert heavy-haul railways and successfully integrating Chinese and Algerian railway technologies. The project has also introduced cutting-edge Chinese track laying and rail welding techniques, along with establishing a state-of-the-art automated sleeper manufacturing facility. Since breaking ground in December 2023, construction has proceeded smoothly, earning praise from local authorities and communities.

Algerian officials highlight that the project has already stimulated growth in the country's railway and industrial sectors while creating employment opportunities and enhancing infrastructure capabilities. Both nations plan to deepen their collaboration moving forward, pursuing mutually beneficial outcomes that will energize regional economic and social progress.