Mansour urges MCC to expedite work on Mes Aynak mine

KABUL (Pajhwok): Acting Minister of Energy and Water Maulvi Abdul Latif Mansour has urged the contracting company for the Mes Aynak copper mine to expedite practical work on the project.

Mansour met with officials from the Chinese mining company MCC in China, the Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) said in a statement.

He emphasised that Mes Aynak project is vital for the Afghan people.

During the meeting, MCC officials discussed various challenges they are facing, and acting minister assured them that solutions would be sought within the ministry's responsibilities.

Last week, Mansour led a high-ranking delegation to China to attend the Energy Conference.

The Mes Aynak copper mine, located in Logar province, is the second largest copper mine in the world, estimated to contain over 11 million tons of copper.

The contract for mining at Mes Aynak was signed during the administration of former President Hamid Karzai in 2007.

However, about two years ago, 3,100 historical artifacts were discovered at the site, which has led to slow progress in the project, and extraction work has not yet commenced.

kk/sa