Saoura Ciment, a subsidiary of GICA, is currently carrying out negotiations with a Chinese partner to realise the Ben-Zireg cement plant, in Bechar, according to its director general.

Director, Abdelkader Bouaichaoui, said: "The SSC has recently started negotiations with a Chinese company that made the best financial and technical proposals, to realise this cement plant,."

The new plant will have a capacity of 1Mta. It will draw upon the limestone found in Jebel Madjouz and nearby shale deposits. Ben-Zireg is scheduled to come online in 2017. It is expected to create 500 direct and 600 indirect jobs.

Output will serve the southeast of the country and bagged as well as bulk deliveries will be made mainly by rail to these areas.