Afghan government signs contract with Chinese company
A Chinese metallurgical group signs a contract with the Afghan Ministry of Mines and Petroleum for copper mining.
The Afghan Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has signed a contract with the China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC Group) for copper mining at the Aynak Deposit, Afghan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wardak Al-Hanafi said on Wednesday.
"The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum announced the start of copper mining at the Aynak deposit in Logar province. A contract for the exploitation of the deposit has already been signed with the Chinese company MCC, which will start working in the coming days," the spokesperson wrote on Twitter.
وزارت معادن وپطرولیم از آغاز کار استخراج معدن مسعینک لوگر خبر داد.
— ( الحنفي وردك) Alhanafi (@Alhanafi_1) March 3, 2022
قرارداد استخراج این معدن با کمپنی MCC چینی قبلا به امضا رسیده که در چند روز آینده کار خود را آغاز خواهد کرد. pic.twitter.com/kZwgHsRQ7s
US issues new general license on Afghanistan financial transactions
Late last month, the US approved a new general license allowing certain transactions with Afghan government agencies.
At the same time, the general license prohibits cash transfers to the Taliban or the Haqqani Network, which are both subject to UN sanctions for “terrorist” operations.
On his account, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “today’s action facilitates private companies and aid organizations working with Afghan governing institutions and paying customs, duties, fees, and taxes, including institutions that are headed by sanctioned individuals.”
Demonstrators in Kabul on February 12 protested US President Joe Biden's decision to release $7 billion in frozen Afghan funds to be shared between humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan and American victims of "terrorism", including 9/11 families, affirming that the money belongs to Afghans.