Afghanistan’s Economic Commission Approves Key Mining Contracts and Royalty Rates
Kabul-The periodic meeting of the Economic Commission, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, was held today at the Marble Palace.
Weezharoz-A major item on the agenda was the approval of the contract for the Black Iron Mine in Dara-e-Yakawlang, Bamyan Province, awarded to Millat Steel and Khan Wazir Companies.
The contract was approved on the condition that the companies establish a full-scale iron processing factory within the country and pay 20% of the revenue from processed iron as royalty to the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum.
The commission also discussed royalty rates for Blocks I and II of the gypsum mine in Kori Taw, Chardara District, Kunduz Province.
The royalty was set at 250 Afghanis per ton of extracted gypsum.
Further discussions involved marble mines in Dand Luqman (Goshta District) and Jokan (Hisarak District, Nangarhar).
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum was instructed to negotiate with relevant companies and report back to the commission.
Additionally, the nephrite mine in Walagi village, Tagab District, Kapisa was reviewed.
Based on the Economic Commission’s technical committee recommendations, the contract was approved with 60% royalty to the ministry.
The session concluded with deliberations on the serpentine mine in Jarobi Markhi Khel, Sherzad District, Nangarhar.
It was decided that the mine would be offered publicly to qualified bidders through an open process.
The Ministry of Mines will evaluate bids and propose a qualified company to the Economic Deputy Office.
Weezharoz
