French Colonial Companies and the Exploitation of Southern Oran: The Kenadsa Coal Mine as a Case
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigates the economic role of French colonial companies in Southern Oran, Algeria, with a particular focus on the Kenadsa coal mine.Established in the early 20th century near Béchar, the Kenadsa mine became a key asset in fueling French industry.The paper explores how colonial authorities organized and managed mining operations, prioritizing resource extraction for metropolitan benefit while subjecting local Algerian workers to exploitative labor conditions, racial discrimination, and socio-economic marginalization.The research also addresses the environmental and social repercussions of these practices, which left long-lasting scars on the region.By analyzing the Kenadsa coal mine as a case study, the paper highlights the broader dynamics of colonial exploitation in Algeria's resource-rich southern territories.
DOI: 10.56334/sei/8.4.25
Authors: Bahamid Badreddine, Baotman Abderrahmane
Institutions: University of Bechar, Ahmed Draia University
Language: English
Subfield: History
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4410403198
