Mining in Tunisia

Mining in Tunisia at a glance

First recorded mining

1896 (Gafsa phosphate concession). Company studies to July 1896 showed phosphate of 58-62% tribasic phosphate and a feasible railway to Sfax, and the Bey approved the convention on 20 August 1896. Source: Entreprises coloniales

Mining since

1896 Source: Entreprises coloniales

Defining moment

1896-97: Gafsa concession and company. Beylical approval of the convention on 20 August 1896 and incorporation on 3 April 1897 set up the first large phosphate mining in the country. Source: Entreprises coloniales

Mining law

Mining Code (Law No. 2003-30). Law of 28 April 2003. It sets a 25% corporate tax with a five-year holiday and a 1% royalty. Source: USGS

State mining company

Compagnie des Phosphates de Gafsa (CPG). Government-owned; carried out all phosphate mining in Tunisia. Group Chimique Tunisien (GCT) makes fertilisers and phosphoric acid. Source: USGS

Key mining regions

Metlaoui, Redeyef, Moularès and M'Dilla (phosphate); Sehib (phosphate, fluorspar) Source: USGS

Main mines

Metlaoui (phosphate), Redeyef (phosphate), M'Dilla (phosphate), M'Rata (phosphate), Sehib (phosphate, fluorspar), Djerissa (iron ore), Bou Jabeur (lead, zinc), Djebel Hallouf (lead, zinc) Source: USGS

Signature minerals

phosphate Source: USGS

Official sitesMining ministry

Mining employment from the ILO usually counts all of mining and quarrying, often with oil and gas; national shares of GDP and exports are as each source defines them.