18-Year Halt of Mes Aynak Mine Costs Afghanistan Billions in Lost Revenue

DID Press: Afghanistan’s long-stalled Mes Aynak copper project has reportedly deprived the country of billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of potential jobs, according to an economic official of the caretaker administration.

Shafiullah Oria Khel, an economic affairs official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that the Mes Aynak mine in Logar province has remained inactive for nearly 18 years since the contract was signed.

He noted that, based on comparable mining operations, the site could produce around 225,000 tons of copper annually, generating approximately $1.5 billion in revenue and creating an estimated 15,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Mes Aynak is considered one of the largest copper deposits in Asia and was initially contracted to a Chinese company for development. However, progress has been repeatedly delayed due to environmental concerns, lack of infrastructure, and the site’s archaeological significance.

The official emphasized that the prolonged suspension has not only cost Afghanistan substantial economic opportunities but also prevented long-term investment inflows and industrial development in the mining sector.