On July 7, 2025, the 135-kilometer priority section of the Algerian Western Railway Mining Line Project, undertaken by China Railway Construction, was successfully paved, marking a phased breakthrough in the construction of Africa's first desert heavy-haul railway. Dai Hegen, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of China Railway Construction, Mustafa Dahu, Governor of Tindouf Province of Algeria, and representatives of the owners attended the paving ceremony.

Technological innovation for efficient construction

The CRCC project team actively promoted technological innovation during construction, and adopted the CPG500 long-track track laying machine for the first time in Algeria, which greatly improved the track laying efficiency, with a track laying capacity of up to 3 kilometers per day. The successful application of this technology not only improves the progress of the project, but also provides a reference for China's railway construction in desert areas of Africa.

Deepen China-Arab cooperation and jointly promote regional development

Dai Hegen, Chairman of CRCC, said at the ceremony that the smooth progress of the Western Railway Mining Line Project demonstrates CRCC's professional strength in the field of railway construction and is also an important achievement of China-UAE pragmatic cooperation. He stressed that CRCC will continue to deepen cooperation with Algeria in the fields of transportation, energy and emerging industries, promote the in-depth docking of Chinese technology with the national vision of "New Algeria", and contribute to local economic and social development.

The construction of railways drives the local economy

The Governor of Tindouf, Mustafa Dahu, spoke highly of the results of CRCC's cooperation, noting that the project has not only promoted the construction of railways, but also extended to the industrial sector, driving local employment and economic development. He said that the paving of the priority section is a new starting point for cooperation between the two sides, and he looks forward to continuing to deepen the mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation model in the future and inject new impetus into regional development.

Improve the national railway network and promote resource development

The Western Algeria Railway Mining Line Project is the largest single project undertaken by a Chinese enterprise in Algeria, with a total length of 575 kilometers, connecting the iron ore ore area of Belchar Province and Garajbilet Iron Ore Area of Tindouf Province. After the completion of the project, it will greatly increase the railway transportation capacity in southwest Algeria, realize the seamless connection of mining areas, industrial areas and ports, and further promote the development of regional economic integration.

The smooth paving of the priority section marks a key step in the construction of Africa's first desert heavy-haul railway, and also sets a new benchmark for China-Arab cooperation in building the Belt and Road Initiative.(This article is from the official website of Seetao www.seetao.com. Reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited. Please indicate Seetao.com + original link when reprinting) Seetao.com Strategy Column Editor/Sun Fengjuan