A number of domestic investors have announced plans to invest $650 million in three phases for the exploration and extraction of one of the blocks in the Hajigak iron mine.

The announcement was made during a meeting on Monday with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, who welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the Islamic Emirate’s full support for such investments.

According to the investors, the project will be implemented in partnership with a foreign company and carried out using professional and modern mining standards. In addition to extraction, the plan includes the establishment of a sponge iron processing plant within Afghanistan, equipped with advanced technology and compliant with international standards.

The facility is expected to process up to 9,000 tons of sponge iron daily, converting it into steel billets to meet Afghanistan’s domestic demand for iron products. The project is also projected to create 6,000 direct jobs, contributing significantly to the local economy.

Mullah Baradar instructed the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum to collaborate closely with the investors and to regularly report on the project’s progress. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that foster economic growth and self-reliance in the mining sector.

Acting Minister of Energy and Water Abdul Latif Mansoor has left Kabul for Tashkent to participate in the fifth Uzbekistan International Energy Conference.

The event is part of Energy Week of Uzbekistan 2025 that is focused on regional partnership for sustainable energy. It will be held from May 13 to 15.

The aim of the summit is to strengthen regional cooperation, attract investment in joint energy projects, exchange experiences and promote green technology, the Ministry of Energy and Water said in a statement.

During the conference, Mansoor is expected to emphasize expanding cooperation with regional countries, attracting foreign investment and using successful international experiences in the field of energy resource management, the statement said.

Representatives of regional countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Russia, as well as organizations s such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Bank, are expected to attend the conference.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council will reportedly meet today, Monday, May 12, over the resumption of IPL 2025.

According to Cricbuzz, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might also announce the roadmap later in the day.

On Monday evening however, some Indian media outlets reported that the BCCI has informed the ten IPL franchises to call back all their foreign players, as a decision on the resumption of the 18th edition of the cash-rich league is coming soon.

However, no official announcement has yet been made by either the BCCI or the IPL council.

The last time the IPL was stopped midway through the tournament was during the COVID-19 pandemic. The IPL 2021 season, which kicked off in April, had to be suspended due to a national lockdown. The second half took place in the UAE later that year.

Speaking to local media after the decision to suspend the tournament Devajit Saikia said: “In the next few days, we will begin consultations with the franchises, broadcasters, sponsors and the state associations slated to host the remaining matches before crystallizing a decision on the league’s resumption.

“Given the importance of IPL at this juncture, it will also be prudent and necessary to take the nod of the Government of India before finalising the time for its restart.”

The board made the decision a day after calling off the Punjab Kings-Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala due to security concerns.

The suspension however will have a stark impact on foreign players. Already a number of them have indicated that its unlikely that they will feature in the remaining games of the season.

Among those are Australian pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

Both players have already returned to Australia, and their participation in the remaining 12 league matches and the playoffs – if their franchises qualify – remains doubtful.

Australia captain Pat Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood’s colleague in the pace department, might not enjoy that luxury as he captains Sunrisers Hyderabad and his availability is crucial for the franchise.

While tensions have eased between New Delhi and Islamabad after the two countries agreed to a ceasefire on Saturday, India’s government is expected to wait for a few more days before giving the BCCI the go-ahead to resume the tournament.