Logar Governor Urges Immediate Start of Aynak Copper Mine Extraction
Qari Salahuddin Ayubi, the governor of Logar province, emphasized the immediate commencement of extraction at the Aynak copper mine during a meeting with a delegation from the Chinese company MCC. He stated that the people of Afghanistan, especially the residents of Logar, are eager for the prompt initiation of this major mining project.
According to him, many local residents of Logar continuously visit the governor’s office seeking employment opportunities within the Aynak copper project. The governor stressed that priority in the hiring process should be given to engineers, specialists, workers, and youth from Logar.
He added that the Logar local administration, in coordination with the Economic Deputy of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Taliban-led Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, is ready for comprehensive cooperation to resolve existing challenges and create a suitable environment to start extraction. However, the practical extraction process of this mine has faced repeated delays over the past years, and it is expected that the Taliban administration will be accountable regarding contract transparency and the guarantee of national interests.
During the meeting, the MCC company delegation provided updates on ongoing work and identified electricity and water shortages as major challenges facing the project. The delegation pledged that the practical extraction process will begin soon.
Company officials also mentioned that currently 97 percent of the project’s employees are residents of Logar, and hiring local workforce remains a priority. They noted that some Afghan engineers will be sent to China for specialized training and capacity building.
The Aynak copper mine, located in Mohammad Agha district of Logar province, is considered one of the largest copper mines globally. Its operational extraction could play a significant role in the country’s economy, a subject that has long been accompanied by widespread public expectations and questions concerning the management and utilization of this national resource.
