As reported in Afghan business news portal Wadsam, the Afghanistan High Economic Council approved major contracts for exploration of two mines after a comprehensive review of the contracts during a meeting on Sunday. The approved contracts are for the Badakhshan gold mine and Balkhab copper mine.

Ajmal Ahmadi, Senior Presidential Advisor on Financial and Banking Affairs, said the contracts were awarded to CENTAR after review of the firm’s eligibility by the intra-ministerial committee, which consists of the Minister of Mines and Petroleum, the Minister of Economy and the Minister of Finance. Ahmadi added that the firms are technically eligible and can arrange the required funds for the exploration of the two mines. The contractor would provide financial guarantees upon signing of the contracts, said Ahmadi. The meeting was held in Charchinar palace under the chairmanship of President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.