KABUL (Pajhwok): An anti-corruption body in Afghanistan has alleged a local firm on Sunday for illegal gold mining in the country.
At a press conference in Kabul today the body held “Afghan Crystal” criminal for the illegal mining at the Qara Zghan gold mine in northern Baghlan province.
The speakers said that the firm was awarded an exploration contract by the former minister for Mines and Petrolium Waheedullah Shehrani in return of 50 million $ four years ago.
KABUL (Pajhwok): Ghazni is one of Afghanistan’s ancient, populous 2nd-grade provinces, located 145 kilometers west of the central capital Kabul. It has a rich history, ancient sites and enormous mineral wealth. .
The province, which lies on the Kabul–Kandahar highway, has historically served as a commercial hub. Ghazni usually remains hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The temperature in the winter dips to -30 degree centigrade.
KABUL: The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) has awarded a private company with a dubious contract to dig out 200 tons of minerals from a copper mine in southeastern Paktia province solely for testing purpose, provincial officials alleged.
Alleging the contract awarding officials of the project have poor skill and corrupt record, Paktia Deputy Governor Abdul Wali Sahi said Machalgho Copper Mine was located in Sarke area of Ahmad Abad district where excavation had been underway.
Turkmenistan is one of the rich Central Asian States in terms of natural gas reservoirs. In 1989, Turkmenistan offered extension of its natural gas to the Asia market via Afghanistan, Pakistan and subsequently to India.
The Unocal cooperation situated in California, working in extraction of oil and gas in other parts of the world also hinted at investment in the project.
KABUL (Pajhwok): The short stretch of track is intended to be the start of 3,600 kilometers of rail that will be the key to unlock Afghanistan’s mineral riches, including iron, copper and gold, a media report said.
The Bloomberg.com in a report pointed to the establishment of Afghanistan’s railroad, problems and current status with respect to the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan after 2014.
KABUL (Pajhwok): The Civil Society Natural Resources Monitoring Network (CSNRMN) on Saturday warned if President Karzai issued a legislative decree to enforce the new draft mining law currently being debated in Parliament; it would benefit only a handful of companies and individuals.
The network, which represents around 40 civil society groups, said the existing mining law had many problems and shortcomings.
KABUL (PAN): A Ministry of Mines and Petroleum official on Wednesday said talks with Indian officials on the Hajigak iron ore mine project were underway and many issues had been resolved during the parleys.
Mohammad Rafi Rafiq Saddique, the ministry spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News Afghanistan and the Indian consortium, a group of six Indian companies the Afghan Iron and Steel Consortium led by Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) had agreed on many issues.
KABUL (PAN): After passing four long years, as many as $11 million loan paid to Afghan Investment Company (AIC) by four banks--- with guarantors Mahmud Karzai, Haseen Fahim and Mirwais Azizi--- to the Ghori Cement Factory, however, the due loan with interests have yet to be returned to the banks.
In the backdrop of signed contract, the $11 million loan should have been returned to the banks within five years in three months installments along with its interests amounting to $7 million by December 2013.
JALALABAD (PAN): A big amount of revenue amounting to 260 million afghanis has been generated in the past 11 months from the rich mines of the eastern Nangarhar province, an official said.
Shakurullah Tolo, provincial mines department head, told Pajhwok Afghan News the government received 40 million afghanis in 2012 while the revenue from the natural resources surged to 260 million afghanis this year.
