Afghanistan Peace CampaignThe major mines contracted this solar year include various minerals such as cement, salt, ruby, barite, and other resources.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has informed TOLOnews that since the beginning of the current solar year, it has awarded contracts for nine major mines to domestic and international companies.
According to Homayoun Afghan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, the value of these contracts amounts to 213 billion afghani.
The major mines contracted this solar year include various minerals such as cement, salt, ruby, barite, and other resources.
The spokesperson told TOLOnews: “From the beginning of 1403 (solar year) to date, nine large-scale mining contracts have been awarded by the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum to domestic and foreign companies, with investments in these projects valued at 213 billion afghani.”
Afghan further stated that during this period, 18 contracts for small-scale mines have also been signed, with a value of 1.8 billion afghani.
Homayoun Afghan added: “Approximately 18 contracts for small-scale mines have been awarded to domestic companies, with investment in these small-scale projects amounting to 1.8 billion afghani.”
Some experts view the extraction, exploration, and processing of the country’s mines as beneficial for Afghanistan’s economic growth and emphasize providing more facilities to domestic and foreign investors.
“If a country wants to stand on its own feet, its economy must also stand strong. When a country’s economy improves, the country progresses. Afghanistan’s mines are also vital for economic growth, provided they are processed domestically,” said Ismail Zadran, an economic analyst.
Previously, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum had stated that interest among investors from various countries, including China, Iran, Turkey, Qatar, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, India, and Russia, in Afghanistan’s mining sector has increased.