Mining Intelligence and News
Algeria

Tala Hamza Project

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Summary

Mine TypeUnderground
Study CompletedFeasibility
Study in ProgressFeasibility Update
StageConstruction
Commodities
  • Zinc
  • Lead
Mining Method
  • Drift & Fill
  • Underhand Cut & Fill
Backfill type ... Lock
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SnapshotThe Tala Hamza project has the potential to be in the top ten largest zinc mines in the world. The project is fully permitted with all environmental approvals in place.

A definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the Tala Hamza zinc project was completed in 2018. In 2024, the land acquisition was completed, and the EPC contract was signed. In 2025, early construction activities began with the installation of administration cabins, establishment of new access tracks and mobilisation of geotechnical drilling equipment.

Optimisation studies continue to assess throughput scenarios. DFS update in progress.

In June 2025, Algeria passed amendments increasing the foreign ownership cap to 80% and introducing a 30-year streamlined mining permit covering exploration and extraction. Reforms enhance Terramin’s investment framework, support long-term planning at Tala Hamza, and open opportunities to increase equity in future Algerian projects.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Office National de Recherche Geologique et Miniere (ORGM) 2.5 % Indirect
Entreprise Nationale des Produits Miniers Non-Ferreux et des Substances Utiles Spa (ENOF) 48.5 % Indirect
Terramin Australia Ltd. 49 % Indirect
The Tala Hamza Zinc Project is owned by the Bejaia Zinc & Lead Spa (BZL), a joint venture vehicle in which Terramin holds a 49% shareholding with the remaining 51% held by two Algerian government-owned companies: Enterprise Nationale des Produits Miniers Non-Ferreux et des Substances Utiles Spa (ENOF) (48.5%) and Office National de Recherche Géologique et Minière (ORGM) (2.5%). Terramin retains management right over the project.

Algeria’s landmark mining reforms could pave the way for Terramin to increase its stake in the Tala Hamza Zinc Project from 49% to as much as 80%.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • Epithermal
  • Replacement
  • Hydrothermal

Summary:

Mineralisation at Tala Hamza lies within a sequence of highly altered volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks located within a Miocene graben structure. For this reason it has been referred to in past studies as a volcanic hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) deposit. However, it is missing many of the features normally associated with such deposits. Most of the observed features are more akin to an epithermal/hydrothermal replacement style of mineralization.

The mineralisation is approximately 650m across strike, 600m down-dip, typically 150m thick and located between 120-680m below surface. Overall the mineralisation plunges approximately 20 degrees to the south-east. The fault controlled high grade core of the deposit is approximately 450m across strike, 500m down-dip, typically 100m thick, located between 200-680m below surface and plunges 40 degrees to the south-east.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Required Heavy Mobile Equipment

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

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Processing

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Commodity Production

CommodityProductUnitsAvg. AnnualLOM
Zinc Metal in concentrate M lbs 130 *3,219 *
Lead Metal in concentrate M lbs 750 *
Lead-Zinc Concentrate kt 3,260 *
Zinc Concentrate kt 129 *
Lead Concentrate kt 26 *
* According to 2018 study.

Operational metrics

Metrics
Daily ore mining rate 4,000 t *
Daily processing capacity 4,000 t *
Annual ore mining rate 1.32 Mt *
Annual processing rate 1.32 Mt *
Annual processing capacity 1.4 Mt *
Waste tonnes, LOM 2.65 Mt *
Ore tonnes mined, LOM 25.9 Mt *
Tonnes processed, LOM 25.9 Mt *
* According to 2018 study.

Production Costs

CommodityUnitsAverage
Credits (by-product) Zinc USD -0.24 / lb *  
All-in sustaining costs (AISC) Zinc USD 0.61 / lb * **  
C1 cash costs Zinc USD 0.53 / lb * **  
Assumed price Lead USD 1.05 / lb *  
Assumed price Zinc USD 1.25 / lb *  
* According to 2018 study / presentation.
** Net of By-Product.

Operating Costs

CurrencyAverage
UG mining costs ($/t milled) USD  ....  Subscribe
Processing costs ($/t milled) USD  ....  Subscribe
Total operating costs ($/t milled) USD  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2018 study.

Project Costs

MetricsUnitsLOM Total
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Sustaining CapEx $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Total CapEx $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Gross revenue (LOM) $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Operating margin, %  ......  Subscribe
EBITDA (LOM) $M USD  ......  Subscribe
After-tax Cash Flow (LOM) $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Pre-tax NPV @ 8% $M USD  ......  Subscribe
After-tax NPV @ 8% $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Pre-tax IRR, %  ......  Subscribe
After-tax IRR, %  ......  Subscribe
After-tax payback period, years  ......  Subscribe

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Dec 16, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 28, 2018

Workforce

Aerial view:

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