Friday, May 20,
Indian companies that were shortlisted for the grant of mining licenses at Hajigak met on Thursday.* to address their major issues to be discussed with the Afghan and Indian Governments.
22 Indian companies have been shortlisted by the Afghanistan Ministry of Mines for the Hajigak iron ore deposits i.e. located in the mountainous Bamiyan province, 130 km west of Kabul and it carries an estimated 1.8 billion tonnes of high quality magnetite ore with 62-63 per cent iron content.
Most of the companies shortlisted are more interested in mining of ore and its evacuation. However, SAIL is keen to set up a steel plant in Afghanistan, subject to the condition that the host country provides infrastructural support and raw material sources.
The major issue that was highlighted in the meet was, “the possibility of forming consortiums to bid for the mining licenses collectively.
Other issues that were also discussed in the meet include- security issues, inhospitable terrain, lack of infrastructure and skilled manpower, Issues such as local laws, tender terms and conditions, infrastructure development, evacuation of ore and diplomatic challenges.
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