Mining — Tlemcen, Algeria

Siliceous sand
High purity - Price
from Algeria

Silice Santa Cruz extracts and markets exceptional natural silica sand — SiO₂ > 98 % — from the deposit at Djebel Ouazzan, Tlemcen province. A premium material, processed using mechanical methods with water, directly at source.

98 %
SiO₂ purity
300K
Tonnes per year
Export
Available
Cristal de quartz — silice haute pureté Santa Cruz
SiO₂> 98 %
Fe₂O₃≤ 0.11 %
Granulo.10 µm–3 mm

Excellence in silica sand

Mining — Tlemcen, Algeria

Siliceous sand high-purity from Algeria

Silice Santa Cruz specialises in the extraction and processing of high-purity silica sand for industrial use. We extract and market exceptional natural sand — SiO₂ ≥ 98.1 % — from Quaternary deposits in the wilaya of Tlemcen. A premium material, sourced directly from the source.

Industrial applications

A material,
six areas of applications

6 Key Sectors

The high purity of our silica sand opens up high value-added markets — from glassmaking to solar energy.

  • Sable siliceux haute pureté pour la verrerie et le vitrage

    Glassware & Glazing

    World’s leading market
    01 — Glassware

    The world’s leading market for silica sand. Our sand meets the requirements of glass manufacturers for flat glass, hollow glass, automotive and architectural glazing, and optical fibre.

    Request a quote
  • Sable de moulage siliceux pour la fonderie et la métallurgie

    Foundry & Metallurgy

    Moulding sand
    02 — Foundry

    Moulding sand for high-precision metal components. The consistent particle size ensures high-quality mould surfaces and thermal resistance of the moulds.

    Find out more
  • Sable siliceux filtrant pour le traitement des eaux potables

    Water filtration

    Drinking water
    03 — Filtration

    A filter medium approved for use in drinking water, industrial water and swimming pools. Optimal efficiency thanks to the purity and uniform shape of the grains.

    Request a quote
  • Silice pour céramiques, faïences et produits réfractaires

    Ceramics & Refractories

    Refractory materials
    04 — Ceramics

    An essential component of tiles, earthenware and refractory materials. Its chemical stability ensures perfect reproducibility in industrial firing processes.

    Request a quote
  • Sable siliceux pour bétons, mortiers et construction

    Civil Engineering & Construction

    Concrete & Mortar
    05 — Construction

    Sand for concrete, mortar and special cements. A wide range of particle sizes is available to meet the requirements of the construction site or the design office.

    Request a quote
  • Silice pour panneaux solaires, forage pétrolier et énergie

    Energy & Oil

    Solar panels
    06 — Energy

    Hydraulic fracturing agents, drilling cement, solar panels and semiconductors. Silica at the heart of the global energy transition.

    Request a quote

Product range

Four particle sizes

From ultra-fine silica flour to coarse sand, our range meets all industrial technical requirements. Bespoke packaging is available in bulk or in high-strength big bags.

01
Ultra-thin
30–150 µm

Silica flour

Ideal for applications in precision ceramics, foundry refractories and nanotechnology.

02
End
150–500 µm

Glass sand

Optimised for high-end glassware, industrial glazing and drinking water filtration.

03
Medium
500 µm — 1 mm

Standard sand

Intended for use in the preparation of high-performance mortars, façade renders, sports surfaces and lawn sand.

04
Big
1–3 mm

Coarse sand

Formulated for the production of structural concrete, drainage beds and heavy civil engineering works.

What is the price of silica sand in Algeria?

Sand prices

The raw silica sand costs up to €25 per tonne, due to the fact that it is mined in open-cast quarries and has limited transport options.

Purity affects the price. Foundry sand costs between €15 and €20 per tonne. By contrast, sand for glassmaking can cost as much as €80–100 per tonne. Derivatives, such as silicon carbide, cost between €1,300 and €1,700 per tonne. Colloidal silica, meanwhile, can reach €7,500 per tonne. Orders of 10,000 tonnes or more qualify for reduced rates.

Price based on purity

The purity as SiO₂ determines the price: 98 % for foundries, 99 % for glassworks. An Fe₂O₃ content exceeding 0.05 % renders the sand unusable for clear glasses. Mechanical sorting improves quality. This increases production costs, making sand for glassmaking more expensive.

Packaging and costs

The delivery format affects the unit price:

  • Bulk : the cheapest option, for large industries

  • 1,000 kg big bag : for medium-sized runs

  • 25 kg bag : more expensive per tonne

Switching to 25 kg bags can double or triple logistics costs. Silices Santa Cruz tailors the packaging to the specific project. This enables customers to buy directly from the quarry. As a result, costs are reduced without compromising on quality.

Composition & commitments

Analyses certified

Chemical composition

Contents warranties

SiO₂ (Silica)
> 98%
Quartz
97%
Al₂O₃
< 0.5%
Fe₂O₃
≤ 0.11%
CaO + MgO
Traces

Purity industrial higher

Composition levels that meet the most stringent glass standards, without any additional chemical treatment.

Our commitments

Silica exceptional

The Djebel Ouazzan deposit benefits from a naturally selective sedimentation process. The result is sand that is very pure, highly homogeneous and economically competitive.

01

Superior industrial purity

SiO₂ > 98 % and Fe₂O₃ ≤ 0.11 % — levels that meet the most stringent glass-making standards without the need for chemical treatment.

02

Strict particle size control

Each batch undergoes screening and laboratory analysis to ensure an ideal grain distribution for foundry and filtration applications.

03

Responsible and traceable extraction

Operations are supervised by the Algerian authorities. Each consignment is accompanied by its analytical certificate.

Technical Specifications

Analysis in-depth

Test reports and the physico-chemical properties of our industrial silica.

01 Teneur en dioxyde de silicium

Purity as SiO₂

Certified analyses have revealed a silicon dioxide content of over 99% across the entire deposit.

Purity report
02 Granulométrie contrôlée

Particle size distribution

Highly precise sediment distribution curve, tailored to the requirements of the fine glassware and foundry industries.

Find out more
03 Faible taux d'oxydes métalliques

Minor Oxides

Minimum concentrations of Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃, ensuring the absence of colouration in optical glass applications.

Details of oxides
04 Résistance mécanique du quartz

Hardness & Strength

A high Mohs hardness rating (7), confirming the ideal structural strength for abrasive sands and engineering concrete.

Technical Specifications
05 Humidité Maîtrisée sable siliceuxContrôles de laboratoire

Controlled Humidity

A curing and drying process that enables residual moisture levels close to zero to be achieved.

Drying process
06 Analyses régulières

XRF & XRD monitoring

Continuous monitoring using X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction to ensure mineralogical stability.

Methods of analysis
07 Certifications environnementales

Eco-neutrality

Natural silica extracted without the use of chemical additives, completely neutral and compliant with regional environmental standards.

Our commitments
08 Rapports d'expédition

Batch Sheets

Full traceability, with an analysis certificate provided as standard with every consignment.

Traceability

Location

At the heart of the'Western Algeria

Ideally situated close to the major port facilities in Oran and connected to the main continental motorways, our mining complex guarantees absolute logistical responsiveness.

Mining site

Djebel Ouazzan — El Gor, Tlemcen Province

Export infrastructure

The ports of Oran and Ghazaouet — direct link via the RN 13

Commercial reach

Nationwide coverage & export flows to Europe and the MENA region

Volume of reserves

A sedimentary deposit of 12.38 Mt, ensuring mining operations for several decades

Algiers Oran Tlemcen El Gor DJEBEL OUAZZAN — SITE
Site de traitement du sable siliceux — équipements industriels modernes

High purity guaranteed

Siliceous sand with a high SiO₂ content, quality-controlled through laboratory analysis for every batch dispatched.

Modern technologies & standards

Mechanical 100 % water treatment, using no chemicals, in strict compliance with industry standards.

Efficient logistics

Fast and completely secure transport — the RN 13 is 60 metres from the site, and the ports of Oran and Ghazaouet are within easy reach.

Why choose us?

We are committed to quality, for each batch.

Contact us

Why choose us?

Our strengths

01

Direct sourcing, controlled costs

No middlemen. You buy directly from the producer and processor. Competitive prices per tonne, with the option of annual supply contracts.

02

Abundant geological reserves

The Djebel Ouazzan deposit has reserves estimated to last for several decades of production, ensuring the continuity of your supplies.

03

Expertise in export logistics

Truck delivery throughout Algeria. Access to ports (Oran, Mostaganem) for export orders to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

04

Responsiveness & flexibility

Short delivery times, tailored to your volumes — from partial loads to orders of several thousand tonnes. We’ll stick to your schedule.

◈ Geological data
+150M tonnes of pure siliceous rock

«Algeria is home to more than 150 million tonnes of pure siliceous rock with a content of SiO₂ > 97 % "in its northern part alone — a rare and largely untapped geological treasure."»

Frère Mentouri University — Constantine

A geological study of Algerian siliceous sand

Sable siliceux haute pureté — texture macro

Let’s get your project off the ground

Ready to get started ?

Please contact us to discuss your requirements for high-purity silica sand. We can provide a bespoke quote, technical advice and logistics tailored to your volumes.

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