Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has signed a five‑year contract for gold extraction in Qala‑e‑Zal district of Kunduz province, with an investment valued at more than $20 million. The agreement was signed by Minister Hedayatullah Badri on Sunday, in the presence of the ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.
The project covers an area of nearly six square kilometers and involves an investment of $20.24 million. Under the terms of the deal, the company responsible will pay a 30 percent royalty to the Afghan government and contribute $200,000 toward social development and public service initiatives in the local area.
Officials noted that the project is expected to generate around 100 jobs, both directly and indirectly, providing new employment opportunities for residents.
The ministry described the agreement as part of broader efforts to attract domestic and foreign investment into Afghanistan’s mining sector, which authorities see as a key driver of economic growth and regional cooperation.
