Key Minerals: One of the World's Largest Copper Mines in Afghanistan, Mes Aynak, is About to Start Mining Operations
China Metallurgical Group Corporation announced the start of mining operations at the Mes Aynak copper mine, which is one of the largest copper mines in the world.
Beijing (Asia News) – A Chinese company has made progress in starting a copper mining project in Afghanistan. China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) stated that it is about to start mining operations at the Mes Aynak copper mine located in Logar Province, central Afghanistan. Although the project contract was signed 17 years ago, the mine remains one of the largest undisturbed areas in the world.
The Mes Aynak project was awarded to MCC in 2008, with a 30-year contract. The company pointed out that the project was delayed due to the presence of Bronze Age archaeological sites, landmines left over from decades of war, and a lack of infrastructure.
Last October, the Taliban announced that the Mes Aynak mine would be changed from an open-pit mine to an underground mine to protect archaeological findings. The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
For China, copper and rare earths are both essential strategic materials. Current estimates indicate that copper demand will increase by 40% by 2040. According to China's calculations, the Mes Aynak deposit contains 705 million tons of mineral resources, of which copper accounts for 11 million tons.
China imports 60% of the world's copper production and supplies 45% of refined copper to the global market, so it needs a continuous supply of copper ore.
Sources: Asia News
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840027368334336/
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