Talks ongoing with China on 2 huge mines, say reports

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghan and Chinese officials have entered negotiations on the extraction of two of mines in the war-torn country, say media outlets.

With the government of Afghanistan yet to comment, the Wall Street Journal quoted Chinese and Afghan sources as saying the two sides were discussing a start to copper extraction from the Mis Aynak mine and oil and gas reserves in the Amu Darya basin.

Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Wang Yu confirmed that talks had begun with the Afghan government on the extraction of copper, oil and gas fields and the Amu River, according to the Republican News Agency.

The source quoted Wang Yu as saying that China was seeking better terms and concessions from the Afghan government so that investments benefitted Chinese companies.

Two largest state-owned firms of China have won contracts for Mis Aynak and Amu Darya fuel and gas in 2008 and 2011, but the mining process yet to begin.

The report added Iran was in talks with the caretaker Taliban government to obtain a contract for an iron-ore mine in western Afghanistan and hoped to achieve this, given its good relations with the incumbent administration in Kabul.

Pajhwok shared the report with the public relations office of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, but has not yet received a response.

sa/mud

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