KABUL: The acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Shaikh Shahabuddin Delawar, on Saturday, signed contracts of two large mine projects in Herat and Kabul with private companies worth $33,490,444, the ministry said in a statement.
According to the statement, the contract for the extraction of the Jagdalak Sapphire mine in Kabul, with an investment of $27.5 million, and the Barite mine in Herat province, with an investment of $5,990,444, has been signed.
The statement said that the Jagdalak Sapphire mine covers an area of 6.895 square kilometers, while the Barite mine in Herat province spans an area of 5.75 square kilometers.
The duration of the contracts is 15 years, and based on the condition of the contract the extracted minrals must be processed within the country.
The Islamic Emirate’s share in the Jagdalak Sapphire mine is 44%, and in the Barite mine, it is 50%, as specified in the contracts.
Also, job employment will be provided for scores of individuals.
The Islamic Emirate through large-scal mining projects, aims to create employment opportunities and promote the country’s economy.