Extraction and exploitation of the country's large iron mines will begin in the near future

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Kabul: In addition to other underground reserves and natural resources, Afghanistan has rich iron reserves. These mines include the Haji Gak mine in Bamyan province, Parian in Panjshir and Ghorian, and Sangan in Herat.
Officials of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of the Islamic Emirate have announced that the extraction and exploitation of the country's large iron mines will begin in the near future. They consider this measure to be an important and vital measure for the country’s economic growth and increasing government revenues.
In an interview with AVA, Homayoun Afghan, spokesman for the ministry, said: “The Ghorian iron mine in Herat province is one of the country’s largest mines that has previously been contracted with domestic and foreign companies and is currently in the exploration stage. The extraction stage of this mine has not yet begun.”
He added: “The Islamic Emirate is determined that iron mines, including the iron mine in Herat province, will be processed and exploited within the country after extraction.”
Regarding the iron mine in Paryan district of Panjshir province, the spokesman for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said: “This mine is in the announcement stage and no contract has been signed with any company yet.”
Previously, some media outlets had reported, quoting Panjshir officials, that the extraction of the iron mine in Paryan district would begin in the near future. According to these officials, the mine, which is located in an area of ​​3 kilometers, was put out to tender by the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum last year.
Mohammad Agha Hakim, the governor of Panjshir, said in this regard: “The iron mine of Parian district of Panjshir province, where very large reserves have been discovered, covers a large area. In addition, gold and zinc mines have also been identified in this area. Last year, this mine was put out to tender and participants were sent to visit it.”
It is worth noting that Afghanistan has numerous iron mines. These mines include Ghorian and Sangan in Herat, Parian in Panjshir, and the large Haji Gak mine. The Haji Gak mine, located in the heights of the Baba Mountains, adjacent to the Haji Gak Kotal, 100 kilometers northwest of Kabul and east of Bamyan, is known as the largest iron mine in Afghanistan and one of the largest iron mines in the region.
In recent months, the government of the Islamic Emirate has announced that exploration and extraction work has begun on 21 major mines in Afghanistan. These projects are being implemented with an investment of 415 billion Afghanis.