Wardak mines generate 6m afs revenue

MAIDAN SHAHAR (Pajhwok): Nearly six million afghanis revenue has been collected under short and long-term mining contracts with various firms in central Maidan Wardak province, an official said on Monday.

Director of Mines Fazal Bari told Pajhwok Afghan News they had reached five long-term and 17 short-term contracts this year with different companies in the area of mining.

The contracts included extraction of 23,000 and 30,000 tonnes of limestone from deposits respectively in Daimirdad and Behsud districts, he said. Other contracts include extraction of 15,000 tonnes of marbles in Behsud and construction materials for 52,000 square metres.

The director said they had been set nearly four million afghanis target by the Revenue Department and nearly five million afghanis by the Ministry of Mines, but they had so far collected nearly six million afs in revenue.

Fazl Bari said a large number of deposits of various minerals existed in Maidan Wardak and many companies had expressed interest for investment, but insecurity impeded progress. He said if there had been no insecurity, their revenue could reach 18 million afs in a year.

He said a five-year contract was being signed with a firm to extract 95,000 tonnes of marbles during the period. He said the firm would investment five million afghanis besides carrying out welfare projects worth 200,000 afghanis.

A resident of Daimirdad district, Mohibullah, said Taliban also received income from mines, forcing the government to offer contracts to lower bidders.

About 43 mines have been found in Maidan Wardak and if properly utilised, income from them could surpass revenues from all other sources.

ma/mud

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