Artisanal gold mining in Algeria: what the presidential decree provides
The presidential decree sets how zones prohibited to artisanal gold mining are delimited, classified and updated.
In short
The presidential decree of 12 Rabie Ethani 1448 (24 September 2026) prohibits all artisanal gold mining operations inside the prohibited zones. These zones lie in the territories of the 3rd, 4th and 6th military regions. The minister of national defence sets their coordinates and their updating.
Key points
- Artisanal gold mining operations are prohibited inside the prohibited zones.
- Zones concerned: territories of the 3rd, 4th and 6th military regions.
- The minister of national defence sets the geographic coordinates and the updating.
- Local civil authorities install signs and concrete markers.
- Any violation exposes offenders to the penalties provided by the legislation in force.
What the decree says
The decree sets how zones prohibited to artisanal gold mining are delimited, classified and updated. It covers the territories of the 3rd, 4th and 6th military regions.
All artisanal gold mining operations are prohibited inside these zones. The zones are placed under the authority of the Armée Nationale Populaire and remain under the administrative supervision of the ministerial departments concerned.
Who delimits and updates the zones
The geographic coordinates are set by the minister of national defence and sent to the ministerial departments concerned. Updating falls within his remit.
- The ministers concerned or the territorially competent walis may, where necessary, propose an update.
- Any proposal is subject to a prior opinion of the security commission of the wilaya concerned.
Signage, protection and penalties
The territorially competent local civil authorities install visible signs, backed by concrete markers, once they receive the coordinates from the competent military authority.
The zones are subject to special protection and security measures set by the minister of national defence. Any violation of the decree and its implementing texts exposes offenders to the penalties provided by the legislation in force.
Frequently asked questions
Which zones does the ban on artisanal gold mining cover?
The prohibited zones in the territories of the 3rd, 4th and 6th military regions. Their geographic coordinates are set by the minister of national defence.
Who can propose updating the prohibited zones?
The ministers concerned or the territorially competent walis may propose it, where necessary, to the minister of national defence. The proposal needs a prior opinion of the security commission of the wilaya concerned.
Who installs the signage of the prohibited zones?
The territorially competent local civil authorities install visible signs and concrete markers once they receive the coordinates.