A new railway sleeper plant built by China Railway Construction Corporation began operations in the Tindouf province of western Algeria on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the launch of a major railway infrastructure project.

It also represents the first time that Chinese-designed railway sleeper solutions have been used in a local heavy-duty railway project.

Mustapha Dahou, governor of Tindouf province, expressed his gratitude for the joint efforts of CRCC and local partners, noting the substantial resources invested and the satisfying progress achieved on the project.

Xu Huaxiang, general manager for CRCC International Group, emphasized the significance of CRCC's involvement in the construction of the Western Algeria Mining Line, highlighting its role in contributing to the region's economic and social development. He pledged to ensure the project's timely and high-quality completion, aiming to make it a model of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Algeria.

The Western Algeria Mining Railway is a key project under the Belt and Road Initiative, and it represents the largest project undertaken by Chinese companies in Algeria in recent years. The 575-kilometer railway, which links the Bechar and Tindouf provinces and serves the Gara Djebilet iron ore mine, is being jointly developed by CRCC and COSIDER TP, a local Algerian state-owned enterprise. Once completed, the railway will significantly enhance Algeria's national rail network, improving connectivity between mining areas, industrial zones, and ports, and supporting the economic development of southwestern Algeria.

According to Dong Lin, general manager of CRCC's North Africa regional office, the new sleeper plant is the first standardized concrete railway sleeper factory in the Sahara Desert region. Covering an area of 91,000 square meters, the plant is tasked with producing 1.2 million railway sleepers for the project. It features two automated circular sleeper production lines, with a daily output capacity of 1,500 sleepers on a single line and 3,000 sleepers on a double line.

In the design of the sleepers, the project team incorporated various technical innovations, aiming to enhance the stability and durability of the track. These improvements are designed to ensure safe and long-lasting railway operations and reduce maintenance costs. The modified sleepers will be used throughout the entire railway, setting a new standard for rail infrastructure in Algeria.

Local employees are also benefiting from the project.

"In less than two months, under the careful guidance of Chinese engineers, I've gone from being a newcomer to a skilled worker capable of answering various technical questions raised by the project supervisors," said Bouderli Nourdine, an Algerian test engineer at the plant. Currently, the plant employs 152 local workers, and regular training is provided on skills, safety, and technical knowledge.

As part of the initiative to promote the integration of Chinese and Algerian technical standards, Chinese construction teams have adapted to local European standards and conducted key research into railway technologies.

This project is poised to play a key role in the Belt and Road Initiative and the broader development of Algeria's infrastructure, strengthening ties between China and Algeria while contributing to the economic prosperity of the region.