According to metalsplace.com. the Afghanistan Ministry of Mines (MoM) has commenced the process that will lead to the tendering of the Aynak copper deposit for mining. According to Afghanistan’s Geological Survey and the British Geological Survey, the central portion of the Aynak copper deposit contains 240 Mt of ore with a grade of 2.3% Cu. Further resources are present in the western portion of the deposit but are less well defined. The sedimentary hosted deposit crops out at surface where portions are amenable to open pit mining methods. The deposit is located 35 km south of Kabul at the northern end of Logar province.

The tender consists not only of the known resource of central Aynak and western Aynak, but also of an exploration concession which encompasses other copper prospects such as Jawhar and Darband. The location of the concessions and other information can be found at the BGS, Afghanistan website, http://www.bgs.ac.uk/afghanminerals

MoM anticipated publishing a request for expressions of interest from interested mining companies on or before September 30. As currently scheduled, qualified mining companies selected by MoM will conduct due diligence and submit bids by the end of November, 2006.