Business
Govt to call for tenders for 68 mines across Afghanistan
Afghan Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said on Thursday that of 108 mines in 23 provinces, the High Economic Council has approved the launch of a tender process for 68 of these mines.
Minister of Mines and Petroleum Haroon Chakhansuri said 800 million AFs will be invested in these mines.
According to Chakhansuri, the annual revenue generation from these mines will be between 150 and 170 million AFs and 3,000 jobs will be created.
“Mines with a high income will be focused on. The mineral extraction process will take place in three parts, first small mines after that mid-size mines and at the end large mines,” stated Chakhansuri.
He also said that they will start work on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project by the end of the month but did not provide further details.
Meanwhile, investors said that wide-spread corruption in government and the presence of armed groups are challenges facing the mining industry.
International organizations and the government also said that illegal extraction of minerals from mines is a substantial source of income for armed groups.
“Private sector is willing to invest in mining but the government should pay attention to our demands. We need the mines and have the capacity to extract the minerals,” said Abdul Nasir Reshtia, head of the association of steel factories.
In 2007 the United States Geological Service did a study and discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, far beyond any previously known reserves.
The previously unknown deposits — including huge veins of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium — are so big and include so many minerals that are essential to modern industry that Afghanistan could eventually be transformed into one of the most important mining centers in the world.
At the time, an internal Pentagon memo, for example, stated that Afghanistan could become the “Saudi Arabia of lithium,” a key raw material in the manufacture of batteries.
However, the industry has not only been dogged by corruption but it is also dominated by warlords and insurgents and largely goes unregulated, and under-developed.
Afghanistan’s state-owned Oil and Gas Company has announced a temporary adjustment to some technical standards for importing gasoline, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) following a sharp rise in global oil and gas prices and their impact on the domestic market.
In a statement, the company said the committee responsible for preventing the import of substandard fuel had reviewed market conditions and domestic demand before deciding to temporarily apply revised limits to certain technical specifications and permissible standards for imported fuel under specific conditions.
The company said the move is an exceptional and temporary measure aimed at facilitating fuel imports, ensuring timely market supply, preventing shortages and reducing the impact of global price volatility. The revised standards will remain in effect until market conditions stabilize and relevant authorities issue further instructions.
The decision comes as fuel prices have risen sharply across Afghanistan in recent days, prompting widespread public concern and complaints.
The increase has been linked to a significant decline in Afghanistan’s fuel imports from Russia following recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities, which have disrupted supplies.
Business
Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan sign agreement to boost regional transit
Officials said the agreement reflects the three countries’ shared commitment to improving regional connectivity, expanding trade and making more effective use of existing transit corridors.
Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan have signed a joint agreement aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and facilitating international transit and road freight cooperation among the three countries.
According to the Iranian Embassy in Dushanbe, the agreement was signed following a trilateral meeting held in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, where officials discussed ways to expand regional transport and economic cooperation.
The agreement is designed to enhance cross-border freight transportation, facilitate international transit, strengthen economic ties and promote closer coordination in the field of international road transport.
The document was signed by Reza Akbari, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and head of the Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, Shayesteh Saeedmoradzadeh, Deputy Minister of Transport of Tajikistan, and Yar Mohammad Ramazan, Director General of Legal Affairs and Agreements at Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.
Officials said the agreement reflects the three countries’ shared commitment to improving regional connectivity, expanding trade and making more effective use of existing transit corridors.
The initiative is expected to support greater economic cooperation, facilitate the movement of goods and strengthen Afghanistan’s role as a key transit link between Central and South Asia.
Business
Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan discuss expanding regional transit cooperation
Officials from the three countries met in the northeastern city of Mashhad, the capital of Razavi Khorasan Province, on July 14 and 15.
Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan have held trilateral talks aimed at expanding cooperation in transit and road freight transportation as the three countries seek to strengthen regional connectivity and boost trade.
According to Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, officials from the three countries met in the northeastern city of Mashhad, the capital of Razavi Khorasan Province, on July 14 and 15.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in cross-border road freight transport, activating regional transit corridors, increasing trade exchanges and promoting broader economic cooperation.
The ministry said the initiative could facilitate international trade, strengthen regional connectivity and support sustainable economic development across the region.
It added that the meeting marked an important step toward making better use of the three countries’ shared transit potential, strengthening regional partnerships, enhancing the region’s role in international transport corridors and expanding transit infrastructure.
According to an analysis by Trend, the trilateral meeting could pave the way for the development of new logistics routes linking the three countries. The report said the initiative aligns with Iran’s broader strategy of strengthening connectivity with Central Asia and maximizing its role as a regional transit hub.
In recent years, Iran has expanded investment in key transport projects, including the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Chabahar Port, eastern border crossings and railway infrastructure. Increased freight cooperation with Afghanistan and Tajikistan is expected to improve access to Central Asian markets while contributing to higher regional trade and transit revenues.
White House confirms President Trump will attend World Cup final
Afghanistan temporarily eases fuel import standards to help curb rising prices
Turhan Saleh appointed new UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan
UK pledges 315 million pounds in aid for Afghanistan over next three years
Pakistan worries about being drawn into US-Iran conflict after Houthis attack Saudi Arabia
Afghanistan signs $67 million contract for cement production in Samangan
Afghanistan eyes direct Basmati rice imports from India amid tensions with Pakistan
TAPI project sees rapid progress in Afghanistan
Polio cases in Afghanistan rise to six in 2026 as two new cases confirmed
Cricket world pays tribute to Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran
Tahawol: Appointment of new UN envoy for Afghanistan discussed
Saar: Pakistan’s call for peaceful relations with Afghanistan discussed
Saar: Growing trade ties between Kabul-New Delhi discussed
Saar: Impact of Iran-US conflict on the region discussed
Tahawol: Iranian attacks on US bases in Gulf
-
Sport21 hours agoAlireza Faghani appointed to officiate FIFA World Cup final
-
International Sports3 days agoSpain and France set for blockbuster World Cup semi-final showdown
-
International Sports4 days agoFrance, Spain, England and Argentina battle for place in World Cup final
-
Business4 days agoMango growers suffer heavy losses as exports fall and climate takes its toll
-
Latest News4 days agoMujahid: Women’s rights in Afghanistan are secured under sharia
-
Sport4 days agoCountdown begins for inaugural Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League
-
Regional4 days agoUS launches major strikes on Iran as Tehran retaliates across Gulf
-
International Sports2 days agoFIFA World Cup 2026 final to be preceded by star-studded closing ceremony