The Economic Commission, led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, convened today, Thursday to discuss several significant contracts and royalty agreements in the mining sector.
One of the main agenda items was the awarding of a contract for iron ore deposits in the Siyah Dara area of Bamyan Province. After thorough discussions, the Commission approved the contract for Milat Steel and Khan Waziri companies. A key condition of the contract mandates that both companies establish 100% iron processing plants within Afghanistan and pay a 20% royalty on fully processed iron to the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum.
The Commission also deliberated on royalty rates for gypsum mines in the Kori Tao area of Kunduz Province. A royalty of 250 Afghanis per ton was set for both the first and second blocks of the gypsum mine.
Further discussions included the marble stone mines in the Luqman Dand area of Nangarhar Province, where the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum was directed to negotiate royalty rates with the winning companies and report back to the Economic Commission.
Additionally, the meeting addressed the contract for nephrite stone deposits in Walgai village, Tagab District of Kapisa Province, and concluded with a decision to open the serpentine stone deposits in Gat Mena, Sherzad District, for public bidding. The Ministry is tasked with selecting a qualified company based on financial and technical evaluations, with recommendations to be submitted to the Deputy PM for final approval.
All decisions made during the meeting will be forwarded to the esteemed office of the Amir al-Mu’minin for final approval.
