HE holders of 79 mining concessions which are at present idle have been warned by the Algerian Government that unless the mines are working again within the next two months, they will be seized. Some of the concessions were granted last century for an unlimited period of time and most have been unworked since Algeria’s independence 24 years ago.
The mines of special interest to the
Algerian Government at the present
time are the lead and zinc mines.
At a time when lead and zinc prices
are very favourable on the world
markets the Government wants these
particular mines exploited to the
maximum, The holders of the con-
cessions are understood to be mostly
French.