The commencement of practical work in the Mes Aynak mine is good news and a significant step for Afghanistan, promoting the economic development of the country. This decision appears to be the first substantial move towards fulfilling the long-standing promises of the previous and current Afghan caretaker governments and the contracted company, which will bring positive changes to the country’s economic situation. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, Homayoun Afghan, announced in a press release that the practical work in this mine will begin by the end of the current week. Mes Aynak, located 40 kilometers southeast of Kabul in a barren area of Logar, is the largest copper mine in the world and is considered a vital natural resource for Afghanistan.
The initiation of copper extraction from Mes Aynak will create thousands of job opportunities in the region and benefit the country’s economic status. The Chamber of Industries and Mines also stated that the commencement of practical extraction in this mine will provide employment opportunities for thousands of people. This is a major and crucial step for Afghanistan that boosts the country’s economic progress. The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum estimated that the copper reserve in the Mes Aynak mine exceeds 11 million tons, representing a substantial economic opportunity for Afghanistan.
The contract for Mes Aynak was signed with the Chinese company MCC for a period of 30 years; however, extraction operations were halted for various reasons, including the discovery of archaeological artifacts in the area during the previous government. Now, the Afghan caretaker government and the contracted company are obligated to proceed with full and uncompromised processing, in accordance with the commitments made in 2008, and to commence the world’s largest copper mining operations without any further delays.
The Afghan caretaker government must work in coordination with the contracted company and closely monitor the contract while swiftly removing existing obstacles to ensure the successful extraction of copper from Mes Aynak and promote Afghanistan’s economic growth. The initiation of practical work in this mine is a significant step towards Afghanistan’s economic future, providing job and development opportunities for its people. Therefore, the Afghan government and the contracted company must fulfill their commitments and contribute to the success of this major project.
The extraction of copper from Mes Aynak will not only improve Afghanistan’s economic status but also make the country’s mining sector more attractive to international investors. It will set a positive precedent for the commencement of other strategic projects and play a major role in the country’s development. Thus, the initiation of copper extraction in Mes Aynak is a positive and promising step for Afghanistan’s economic progress, welcomed by all Afghans.