The company's president, following a recent visit to Kabul, held discussions with Sheikh Shahabuddin Dlawar, the Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum.

The meeting centered around exploring potential investment opportunities in Afghanistan's mineral resources.

The president of CDC China emphasized the promising prospects for investors in Afghanistan, aiming for mutual benefit through collaborative efforts.

The mining sector in Afghanistan is a significant contributor to the country’s economy. According to the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, Afghanistan has over 1,400 mineral fields containing barite, chromite, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, natural gas, petroleum, precious and semi-precious stones, salt, sulfur, lithium, talc, and zinc, among many other minerals.

The country’s mineral industry is estimated to be worth around USD 3 trillion but currently contributes only seven to ten percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Afghanistan’s resources could make it one of the richest mining regions in the world. The major mineral resources include chromium, copper, gold, iron ore, lead and zinc, lithium, marble, precious and semiprecious stones, sulfur and talc among many other minerals. The energy resources consist of natural gas and petroleum.

The government was working to introduce new mineral and hydrocarbon laws that would meet international standards of governance. However, the development of this industry has been hindered in the past by U.S. occupation, insecurity, insufficient infrastructure and outdated legislation. (ILKHA)