All conditions have been facilitated for the resumption of extraction atthe Mes-Aynak copper mine, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) saidon Sunday.
The Afghan delegation that recently visited China held talks with theofficials of the Metallurgical Corp of China (MoCC).
According to the Ministry of Mine and Petroleum, a delegation of the MCC isexpected to visit Afghanistan soon.
“There were some initial problems. The Islamic Emirate has resolved theproblems to the furthest extent,” said Esmatullah Burhan, a spokesman forthe (MoMP).
The Islamic Emirate is also planning to construct a railway from Torkhamcrossing in Nangarhar to Hairatan port in Balkh as well as to form anelectric company.
“The Chinese are seeking to reach an agreement to have increased benefitsand to decrease the percentage being paid to Afghanistan annually,” saidTorek Farhadi, an international relations analyst.
Economists believe that resumed operations at the Mes Aynak copper mineproject will have a positive impact on the Afghan economy.
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“It has been a long time since the contract with MCC company about theMes-Aynak was signed because, previously, there were some legal andsecurity issues which caused a delay in the implementation of the project,”said Sakhi Ahmad Payman, deputy head of the Chamber of Industry and Mines.
“This could help the Afghan government economically improve, and thisproject can help Afghanistan’s raw material production,” said SeyarQureshi, an economist.
Mes Aynak is the largest copper mine in Afghanistan. Based on the agreementwhich was signed between the Afghan government and the MCC, China willextract 6.8 billion cubic meters of copper.
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