Afghanistan signs $38.74m talc mining contract
KABUL: Afghanistan's Ministry of Mines and Petroleum on Saturday signed a contract worth $38.74 million with a domestic company for the development of a talc deposit in eastern Nangarhar province.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, Mullah Hedayatullah Badri, highlighted the project's socio-economic value, noting that it is expected to generate more than 400 direct and indirect jobs during its implementation.
The 15-year agreement covers 3.93 sq km in the Woch Bandar area of Achin district, Badri said.
The agreement follows a larger $65.8 million talc mining contract awarded in early September for the Shirzad district of the same province.
The Afghan government has, in recent months, concluded a series of contracts with both local and international firms as it seeks to convert the country's largely untapped natural resources into tangible economic gains.
By RSS/Xinhua
