KABUL (SW): The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) has signed as many as 86 new mining contracts since the beginning of the current year.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Kabul, Muhiuddin Noori, the spokesperson for the ministry said that the government is currently planning to execute up to more 450 small and medium mining projects across the country, which could help lift the economy. Noori said these projects once implemented, could create jobs for as many as 2000 citizens.
He stressed that ensuring security of the mining projects is essential.
Noori admitted that in the restive areas, illegal excavation continues. He added that the security forces, in cooperation with the MoMP are fighting illegal excavation. “This cooperation has been effective as it prevented 120 cases of smuggling last year alone”, he said.
The MoMP spokesman went on to say that a national policy would be developed for streamlining the excavation and trade of the precious and semi-precious stones. He said once the national policy plan is available, the investors would be attracted to invest in the country.
ENDS
