Metallurgical Group Corp (MCC) of China Starts Copper Extraction Operation at Mes Aynak Mine of Afghanistan

• Metallurgical Group Corp (Mcc) of China Starts Copper Extraction Operation at Mes Aynak Copper in Afghanistan
• Afghanistan to provide full security for the contracting company, MCC, and there are no hindrances to the project’s practical implementation; Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister
• The commencement of practical work at Mes Aynak Copper project will boost Kabul-Beijing trade and economic cooperation: Zhao Xing, the Chinese ambassador
• Trade worth one billion dollars was conducted between Afghanistan and China: Envoy
• Mes Aynak Copper is the largest copper mine in the Afghanistan, and the second largest copper mine in the world
• Mes Aynak Copper mine, having an estimated deposit of 5.5 million metric tons of high-quality copper ore, is located in central Logar province, Afghanistan 
• Metallurgical Group Corp (MCC) of China won exploration rights for the copper mine project in Mes Aynak in 2007, as one of the high-profile Chinese investment projects in Afghanistan

By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia

Kabul: Chinese company, Metallurgical Group Corp (MCC), on Wednesday, started copper extraction operation at the Mes Aynak Copper, the largest copper mine in the Afghanistan, and the second largest copper mine in the world, after fifteen years of delay, due to regional instability and some other issues.

The inaugural ceremony of operation at Mes Aynak Copper mine was attended by the prominent figures, including the Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum, Mullah Hidayatullah Badri, the Acting Minister of Information and Culture, Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa, the Deputy Minister of Information and Culture of China, the Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan, the Chairman and technical team of the contracting company MCC, representatives from the private sector, local residents, and several government officials.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, deputy prime minister for economic affairs of the Islamic Emirate, while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of project, underscored the vital significance of the Mes Aynak project, and highlighted the urgency of initiating practical work without further delay, given the considerable time already lost.

“The Mes Aynak Copper project is an important project for the Afghanistan and Afghan people”, he said.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund assured the contracting company officials that Afghanistan has sufficient materials to neutralize toxic substances during processing. He emphasized that this issue has been fully resolved and that there are no hindrances to the project’s practical implementation.

Furthermore, he instructed Da Afghanistan Bank to facilitate the transfer of necessary funds to the contracting company to ensure smooth project execution.

In his concluding remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister guaranteed full security for the contracting company and congratulated the entire nation on the commencement of practical work for this significant project.

“In terms of security, we assure those residing in Afghanistan and every investor investing in Afghanistan.”

“The contracting company is obligated to carry out its work based on the contract”, said the Hedayatullah Badri, acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum at the ceremony.

Badri further added: “Mes Aynak Copper is the largest copper mine in the country and the second largest in the world. The contract for this mine was signed with MCC in 2008 during the previous government, but practical work did not begin due to various issues.”

In his remarks at the ceremony, Zhao Xing, the Chinese ambassador in Kabul said that economic relations between Kabul and Beijing are expanding.

“China is working in coordination with the United Nations and several other countries for Afghanistan’s stability and progress”, he said.

Chinese envoy further added that trade worth one billion dollars was conducted between Afghanistan and China last year.

“The start of the Mes Aynak Copper road construction is very important in implementing future plans for this project and facilitates the excavation route, which is a significant step in the Mes Aynak Copper Project”, said Zhao Xing said.

Meanwhile, Khairullah Khairkhwa, the acting Minister of Information and Culture, emphasized the importance of protecting ancient artifacts during the excavation of this mine.

“The Islamic Emirate has made tireless efforts in this regard to both protect historical artifacts and utilize our mines for the benefit of the people”, he added.

China Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Li Qun in his remarks highlighted the preservation Silk Road cultural artifacts.

“The Mes Aynak Copper area has a historical background, and holds special value in tourism, handicrafts, cultural development, and the Silk Road”, he said.

“I appreciate the Afghan government for protecting historical monuments and striving to preserve the artifacts of Mes Aynak at the governmental and global levels. I believe that cultural cooperation between Afghanistan and China can enhance global culture and strengthen relations between the two countries”, minister emphasized.

The Logar Mes Aynak copper-mining project was handed over to MCC China for fifteen years but its extraction operations were halted due to regional instability and discovery of ancient remains related to ancient Silk Road.

More than 10500 historic movable and immovable relics have been discovered from Mes Aynak historical and archeological sites and nearly 3,000 movable relics have been submitted to national museum after maintenance and repairing.

Mes Aynak is a site 40 km southeast of Kabul, located in a barren region of Logar Province. The site contains the world’s largest copper deposit, which is major revenue source for Afghanistan. Aynak is of historical, cultural and spiritual importance to Afghans with more than 2000 years history.

The officials and government representatives lauded the efforts of Chinese compact for boosting cooperation, generating a good income for the government, and creating job opportunities for the citizens of Afghanistan torn by war on terror and internal conflicts.

Potential wealth from Afghanistan’s untapped mining sector could play a significant role in placing Afghanistan on a path of economic development.