Latest News
Chinese firm told to start extracting copper at Mes Aynak by end of week
This comes after the acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Hedayatullah Badri met with the Chinese ambassador to Kabul, Zhao Xing, last week and stressed the need to accelerate Mes Aynak copper and Amu Darya basin oil projects.
After a 15-year delay, the extraction of copper at Mes Aynak is expected to finally get underway by the end of the week.
Ministry of Mines and Petroleum spokesman Homayoun Afghan said in a post on X that the contracting company has been told to immediately start operations, and processing, in accordance with the conditions of the agreement signed in 2008.
“The contracting company has been ordered to start [extraction of] the world’s largest copper mine – without any obstacles or delays – at the end of this week,” said Afghan.
This comes after the acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Hedayatullah Badri met with the Chinese ambassador to Kabul, Zhao Xing, last week and stressed the need to accelerate Mes Aynak copper and Amu Darya basin oil projects.
Experts say that the lack of standard equipment and machinery has created problems in the mining sector.
According to experts, Afghanistan’s mines should not be controlled by any foreign countries.
Currently, foreign companies from various countries are invested in the country’s mining sector – especially Chinese companies.
Mes Aynak copper mine is located 40 km southeast of Kabul in Logar province and is thought to have the second biggest copper deposit in the world.
The Chinese company MJAM won the Mes Aynak copper mining contract in 2007; but since then, due to security problems and the existence of ancient artifacts in the area, operations have stalled.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has signed a 30-year agreement with a private company to extract marble in Daikundi province.
Under the contract, the company will invest AFN 283 million in exploring and mining marble at the “Mesh-Uliya” site, spanning 16.74 square kilometers in central Daikundi.
Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, stated that the marble will be processed domestically before being exported abroad. He added that the Mesh-Uliya project is expected to create around 200 jobs, and the company is committed to supporting local communities through social initiatives.
Economic experts highlight that such investments, especially those focusing on domestic processing, are crucial for job creation, boosting exports, and strengthening the national economy. Analysts further note that the project will improve local infrastructure, expand social services, and enhance the economic and social well-being of Daikundi residents.
Since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, efforts to develop Afghanistan’s mining sector have intensified, with multiple contracts signed in areas including cement, copper, iron, and lapis lazuli, involving both domestic and international companies.
A passenger bus veered off the Salang Highway before dawn on Sunday, leaving five people dead and 44 others injured, the Ministry of Public Works said.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. in the Shawol area of North Salang when a passenger bus deviated from the main road due to the driver’s negligence.
Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said five passengers were killed and 44 others sustained injuries. He added that personnel from the Salang Maintenance and Protection Directorate promptly arrived at the scene and transferred the injured to the Khunjān clinic for medical treatment.
The Ministry of Public Works has urged drivers and passengers traveling on the Salang Highway to strictly follow the instructions of on-duty teams, observe traffic regulations, and carry warm clothing, food supplies, and snow chains to prevent similar incidents.
The ministry also noted that heavy snowfall and stormy weather have led to the temporary closure of the highway, while road maintenance teams are continuing snow-clearing operations.
Latest News
Major fire in Mandawi Kabul market contained, extensive losses prevented
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
The Ministry of Interior reported that personnel from the General Directorate of Firefighting and Emergency Response successfully prevented the further spread of a fire at Mandawi market on Kabul early Sunday morning.
Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the ministry, said that the fire destroyed 10 storage facilities and 8 shops. He added that initial losses are estimated at around $700,000, but timely action by firefighting personnel saved property worth approximately $2.2 million.
Qani explained that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. He praised the rapid and effective containment operations, which prevented more extensive damage.
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
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