Environmental Assessments Begin for Mes Aynak Mine Extraction

The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) said that assessments regarding the method of extracting the Mes Aynak Mine, in a way that does not harm the environment, have begun.

According to officials from the agency, the contracted company must begin the extraction operations for this project based on global standards.

Zainul Abideen Abid, Technical and Professional Deputy of NEPA, said: “The main goal of this project is the country’s development, and environmental standards to prevent harm to people have been studied. After evaluating the proposals, the necessary licenses will be issued.”

At the same time, officials from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum have pledged that the Mes Aynak Mine will be extracted according to standards, and following that, smelting and processing operations will also take place.

Hamidullah Habibi, head of the Mes Aynak project at the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, said: “Site preparation, the construction phase, excavation, processing, smelting, and site cleanup will each be carried out separately.”

The technical deputy of the Chinese MCC company also said that the extraction of Logar’s Mes Aynak Mine is one of China’s major projects in Central Asia.

Xiong, Technical and Engineering Deputy of the Chinese MCC company, which is the contracted company for the Mes Aynak project, said: “It is ensured that the Mes Aynak project will be beneficial for Afghanistan. Moreover, significant efforts will be made to promote economic development, increase the country’s revenue, and create job opportunities for the Afghan people.”

The contract for the Mes Aynak mine, signed with the Chinese MCC company for a period of 30 years, estimates that the copper reserves in this mine exceed 11 million tons.