A new Chinese railway sleeper factory commenced operations on November 10 in Tindouf, a province in western Algeria, marking the full launch of China Railway Construction Corporation's Western Algeria Railway Mining Line project. Pictured are two Algerian workers operating on the light rail production line. Photo: China Railway Construction Corporation

A new Chinese railway sleeper factory opened in Tindouf, western Algeria, on Sunday, marking the official launch of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC)'s Western Algeria Railway Mining Line project.

The project involves constructing a 575-kilometer heavy-haul railway through the desert, featuring the first use of a Chinese-designed sleeper solution in local heavy-haul rail infrastructure, according to a statement the CRCC sent to the Global Times on Sunday.

"This sleeper factory is the first standardized concrete sleeper plant built by a Chinese company in the Sahara," said Xu Huaxiang, general manager of CRCC International Group.

Xu noted that the production process features specialized designs for enhanced track stability, durability, and reduced maintenance costs.

To foster China-Algeria standard integration, Chinese builders aligned with local European standards, incorporating Chinese heavy-haul railway technologies and materials, advancing Chinese manufacturing abroad and enhancing mutual cooperation, a representative of the CRCC said.

The Western Algeria Railway Mining Line, a major initiative under China-Algeria Belt and Road cooperation, is jointly implemented by CRCC and Algeria's COSIDER TP. It is the largest standalone Chinese project in Algeria undertaken in recent years.

Upon completion, it will further develop Algeria's national railway network, linking its mining areas, industrial zones, and ports enhancing connectivity and economic development in Algeria's southwestern regions.

Global Times