Growth of the stone industry in Algeria
Founded in 2016, Granittam, a subsidiary of the Hasnaoui Group of Companies (GSH), specializes in the stone industry from its initial phase of extraction to the final stage of processing and processing. It currently operates Tamanrasset quarries (Outoul, Aguenar, In Guezzam and Silet) and is dedicated to the processing and processing of stone, respectively in the south and north of the country. Omar Hasnaoui, General Manager of the GSH, explains in this interview the different phases that led to the launch of Granittam. Let us follow him.
How did you come up with the idea of investing in the field of stone processing?
The idea started to sprout four years ago. After studies and consultations, we opted initially for a unit of 1000 m2 / day in the area of Sidi Ali Benyoub, 23 km from Sidi Bel Abbes. We have thus created the subsidiary Alpostone and the installation of the necessary equipment at the level of Sidi Ali Benyoub's quarry. Then we contacted the Enamarbre to supply the new unit with blocks of marble.
Since the raw product was not available in sufficient quantity on the market, we started to import it from Spain before going south. In Tamanrasset, where we first started on the granite track, we found that there are varieties of marble of great quality: translucent white marble, pistachio green, brown ...
From there, the Granittam project began to take shape. It must be recognized, however, that the beginnings were not easy.
Can you be more explicit?
In the stone processing industry, the start of quarrying is not easy. This required extensive excavation work, mobilization of all types of gear and heavy investments. In Tamanrasset, we benefited from seven mining titles for the exploitation of marble and granite. Three production sites are already in operation in Silet and In Guezzam.
They started in the last quarter of 2016 and it is expected to reach, in the short term, a production of 3000 m2, with the possibility of quickly increasing this volume to 10 000 m2. The unit thus created covers 20 hectares, for an investment of about 219 billion centimes. The main objectives of Granittam are the satisfaction of the national needs in granite and marble, to stimulate the local production under a label of quality (Made in Algeria) with a better offer quality / price. We expect, by the end of 2017, to make the Tit plant operational.
Investing in a remote region like Tamanrasset has enough to generate significant operating costs, especially for transportation?
When we established the cost of our investments, we found that it is almost equal to that generated by the importation of marble.
As exploration progressed and after extensive prospecting, we realized that substantial savings in transportation costs could be realized. In furthering our market exploration, we found that some 300 large trucks supplying Tam with various products left virtually empty to the North.
This not only reduces transportation costs for blocks and finished products, but also provides additional revenue for experienced carriers and builds loyalty. In fact, the Tamanrasset region holds enormous investment opportunities, particularly in the construction sector. I can even tell you that Tamanrasset is like the north of the country 20 or 30 years ago, where almost everything is built. Real estate, tourism, building materials are, among other things, buoyant segments and containing enormous potential.
What about job creation in the Tamanrasset area?
Granittam has two components: a section dealing with quarrying stone and an industry component. It is expected to generate 700 jobs, including 500 permanent, in a first phase. We expect, after the completion of all phases of the project, to create 2000 jobs. The priority for GSH is to offer job opportunities to the local workforce. Today, in the far south, the Hasnaoui Group of Companies has made a commitment to use skilled local labor. And there are already in Tamanrasset trades adapted to the culture of the region.
Moreover, we were surprised by the existence of a cooperation program between Brazil and the Algerian Government for the training of trainers in the trades of handicrafts and marble processing.
