Monday, 20 Feb 2012
Afghanistan's Ministry of Mines on Saturday rejected allegations of problems in the bidding for one of the country's largest mines, calling it a fair and transparent process.
In a letter to McClatchy, the ministry's director-general for policy and promotion, Mr A Jalil Jumriany said that the selection of bids for four blocks of the Hajigak iron ore mine in central Afghanistan was overseen by a team of Afghan government experts, and that a panel of international advisers found that the process was "conducted according to international standards."
However, Jumriany's letter did not challenge the main points in a McClatchy report published Friday, which raised allegations of flaws in the bidding process and that the winning bidders a state led Indian consortium and a Canadian firm hadn't demonstrated that they could meet production targets.
Among the charges raised by Acatco an Afghan-American firm that was short-listed for the contracts but failed to win mining rights was that the winning firms hadn't shown that they'd secured adequate funding for extracting iron ore from Hajigak, often described as the jewel of Afghanistan's mining sector.
Acatco also charged that its bid was rejected despite offering clearer dates for starting production and higher royalty payments to the Afghan government. A complaints commission of the Afghan parliament has taken up the matter and summoned Afghanistan's minister of mines, Wahidullah Shahrani, who failed to appear at a hearing Saturday because he was traveling, according to a spokesman.
(Sourced from www.adn.com)
Showing posts with label Hajigak iron ore mines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hajigak iron ore mines. Show all posts
Monday, February 20, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
AFISCO to invest INR 375 crore for exploration at Hajigak in Afghanistan
Saturday, 07 Jan 2012
ET reported that a consortium of Indian steel companies led by Steel Authority of India Limited will invest about INR 375 crore in initial exploration for iron ore at Hajigak in Afghanistan.
The exploration will give the Indian consortium, called Afghanistan Iron & Steel Consortium, an indication of the size and grade of reserves, which were last explored in the 60s.
The outlay, which will cover exploration over two years, will be a prelude to an investment of INR 55,000 crore to develop mines, build a steel plant and create infrastructure.
A working level team from AFISCO will visit Afghanistan shortly for talks with the government on the final agreement. The Indian team will also seek the Afghan government's active role in providing road and rail infrastructure outside the mining area, in securing licensing rights and housing for project workers.
Mr CS Verma chairman of SAIL said “We will seek the Afghan government's role in providing safety and security cover to Indian personnel. Since Afghanistan is on a negative list, the security factor will weigh critically before we make any investments. It will also help when the consortium seeks funding from multilateral financial institutions.”
Mr Verma said “While road and rail links within the project area will be our responsibility, we would want the Afghan government to provide infrastructure support outside the project area up to the nearest international port.”
The consortium, which has JSW Steel, JSW Ispat, JSPL, RINL, NMDC and Monnet Ispat as the other members, will hold a separate meeting to work out the issues.
(Sourced from ET)
ET reported that a consortium of Indian steel companies led by Steel Authority of India Limited will invest about INR 375 crore in initial exploration for iron ore at Hajigak in Afghanistan.
The exploration will give the Indian consortium, called Afghanistan Iron & Steel Consortium, an indication of the size and grade of reserves, which were last explored in the 60s.
The outlay, which will cover exploration over two years, will be a prelude to an investment of INR 55,000 crore to develop mines, build a steel plant and create infrastructure.
A working level team from AFISCO will visit Afghanistan shortly for talks with the government on the final agreement. The Indian team will also seek the Afghan government's active role in providing road and rail infrastructure outside the mining area, in securing licensing rights and housing for project workers.
Mr CS Verma chairman of SAIL said “We will seek the Afghan government's role in providing safety and security cover to Indian personnel. Since Afghanistan is on a negative list, the security factor will weigh critically before we make any investments. It will also help when the consortium seeks funding from multilateral financial institutions.”
Mr Verma said “While road and rail links within the project area will be our responsibility, we would want the Afghan government to provide infrastructure support outside the project area up to the nearest international port.”
The consortium, which has JSW Steel, JSW Ispat, JSPL, RINL, NMDC and Monnet Ispat as the other members, will hold a separate meeting to work out the issues.
(Sourced from ET)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
India SAIL-led consortium sees $11 bln investment in Afghanistan
Wed Nov 30, 2011
* Consortium plans to build 6 mln T steel plant in Afghanistan
* Was awarded rights to develop three blocks of huge Hajigak mines
* Steel plant to cost $7 bln-$7.5 bln-SAIL chair (Adds details)
NEW DELHI, Nov 30 (Reuters) - A consortium of Indian companies led by Steel Authority of India will need a total investment of $11 billion in a planned steel plant and to develop iron ore mines in Afghanistan, the steelmaker's chairman said on Wednesday.
The Afghan government awarded the rights to develop three blocks of the huge Hajigak iron ore concession in central Afghanistan to the consortium, while a fourth block at the deposit was won by Canada's Kilo Goldmines Ltd.
The Indian consortium plans to build a steel plant in Afghanistan with an annual capacity of 6 million tonnes, SAIL Chairman C.S. Verma told reporters in New Delhi, adding the plant would need investment of $7 billion to $7.5 billion and the remainder would be for developing the mines.
State-run SAIL is the biggest steelmaker in India, with an annual capacity of about 15 million tonnes.
The other members of the consortium are: state-run miner NMDC Ltd and steelmaker Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), and private sector steelmakers JSW Steel Ltd, JSW Ispat Steel Ltd, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd and Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd.
"We'll need to borrow some from financial institutions. We'll need some facilities and assistance from both the Indian and Afghan governments," Verma said.
The Hajigak deposit contains an estimated 1.8 billion tonnes of ore, with an iron concentration of 64 percent, the Afghan mines ministry has said. The figures are based on a survey carried out in the 1960s.
The huge investment necessary to develop Hajigak will be welcomed by the cash-strapped Afghan government, but the deal could cause problems with neighbouring Pakistan, which fears closer cooperation between India and Afghanistan.
The United Nations said this year violence across Afghanistan is at its worst since the Taliban regime was toppled 10 years ago, although the NATO-led alliance of foreign troops says attacks on its forces by insurgents are now falling.
(sourced Reuters)
* Consortium plans to build 6 mln T steel plant in Afghanistan
* Was awarded rights to develop three blocks of huge Hajigak mines
* Steel plant to cost $7 bln-$7.5 bln-SAIL chair (Adds details)
NEW DELHI, Nov 30 (Reuters) - A consortium of Indian companies led by Steel Authority of India will need a total investment of $11 billion in a planned steel plant and to develop iron ore mines in Afghanistan, the steelmaker's chairman said on Wednesday.
The Afghan government awarded the rights to develop three blocks of the huge Hajigak iron ore concession in central Afghanistan to the consortium, while a fourth block at the deposit was won by Canada's Kilo Goldmines Ltd.
The Indian consortium plans to build a steel plant in Afghanistan with an annual capacity of 6 million tonnes, SAIL Chairman C.S. Verma told reporters in New Delhi, adding the plant would need investment of $7 billion to $7.5 billion and the remainder would be for developing the mines.
State-run SAIL is the biggest steelmaker in India, with an annual capacity of about 15 million tonnes.
The other members of the consortium are: state-run miner NMDC Ltd and steelmaker Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), and private sector steelmakers JSW Steel Ltd, JSW Ispat Steel Ltd, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd and Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd.
"We'll need to borrow some from financial institutions. We'll need some facilities and assistance from both the Indian and Afghan governments," Verma said.
The Hajigak deposit contains an estimated 1.8 billion tonnes of ore, with an iron concentration of 64 percent, the Afghan mines ministry has said. The figures are based on a survey carried out in the 1960s.
The huge investment necessary to develop Hajigak will be welcomed by the cash-strapped Afghan government, but the deal could cause problems with neighbouring Pakistan, which fears closer cooperation between India and Afghanistan.
The United Nations said this year violence across Afghanistan is at its worst since the Taliban regime was toppled 10 years ago, although the NATO-led alliance of foreign troops says attacks on its forces by insurgents are now falling.
(sourced Reuters)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Indian consortium bags 3 Hajigak iron ore blocks in Afghanistan
Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011
It is reported that Afghanistan government has offered India a new strategic role in Afghanistan by awarding mining rights for the country’s biggest iron deposit to a group of Indian state run and private companies.
Mr Karzai president of Afghanistan and his cabinet awarded three of four blocks at the Hajigak ore deposit to seven companies that bid with support from India’s government and offered the final block to Canada’s Kilo Goldmines Ltd
The Afghan Ministry of Mines announced “The Afghan Iron and Steel Consortium (AFISCO) which comprises SAIL, NMDC, Monnet Ispat & Energy, RINL, JSW Steel, Jindal Steel & Power, JSW Ispat has been awarded three blocks.”
India’s government backed the group, led by state owned Steel Authority of India Ltd Limited and NMDC Ltd, to widen the country’s strategic presence in Afghanistan, which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said is essential for Indian security.
Hajigak, a series of rugged mountain ridges 100 kilometers west of Kabul, holds an estimated 1.8 billion tonnes of ore and is the biggest mining project on offer in a country that the US government estimated last year holds USD 1 trillion in untapped minerals.
The Afghan government had invited bids to award development rights for four mines in Hajigak earlier this year and the last date for submission of bids was September 4.
(Sourced from Bloomberg & NDTV)
It is reported that Afghanistan government has offered India a new strategic role in Afghanistan by awarding mining rights for the country’s biggest iron deposit to a group of Indian state run and private companies.
Mr Karzai president of Afghanistan and his cabinet awarded three of four blocks at the Hajigak ore deposit to seven companies that bid with support from India’s government and offered the final block to Canada’s Kilo Goldmines Ltd
The Afghan Ministry of Mines announced “The Afghan Iron and Steel Consortium (AFISCO) which comprises SAIL, NMDC, Monnet Ispat & Energy, RINL, JSW Steel, Jindal Steel & Power, JSW Ispat has been awarded three blocks.”
India’s government backed the group, led by state owned Steel Authority of India Ltd Limited and NMDC Ltd, to widen the country’s strategic presence in Afghanistan, which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said is essential for Indian security.
Hajigak, a series of rugged mountain ridges 100 kilometers west of Kabul, holds an estimated 1.8 billion tonnes of ore and is the biggest mining project on offer in a country that the US government estimated last year holds USD 1 trillion in untapped minerals.
The Afghan government had invited bids to award development rights for four mines in Hajigak earlier this year and the last date for submission of bids was September 4.
(Sourced from Bloomberg & NDTV)
Kilo Goldmines comments on award of iron ore block in Afghanistan
Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011
Kilo Goldmines Ltd while responding to press reports that it has been awarded one of four concession blocks comprising the Hajigak iron ore deposit in Afghanistan by the Afghan Ministry of Mines confirmed that it has submitted a bid in response to a request for proposals from the MOM for the mining rights to the four concession block Hajigak iron ore deposit.
The company has not been notified by the MOM of the outcome of the bidding process.
It said “If selected, Kilo would have the exclusive right to negotiate with the MOM for the mining rights to the concession block for which it was selected as a preferred bidder before a final award is made.”
Although the bid was submitted in the name of the Company, the bid was prepared by an independent group, led by David Buckle, a UK based corporate financier, who would be responsible for the financing and management of the project. If awarded, the project would be held in a new entity with Kilo receiving an initial 20% interest, subject to dilution but with no funding obligation. The independent financing and management structure was presented in the bid documents submitted to the MOM. The Principals are required to reimburse Kilo for expenses incurred in the bidding process and to indemnify it for any losses sustained.
The bid was initiated earlier in the year and the Board determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company to continue with the bid given the potential financial benefits and limited downside risk following the agreement of the Principals to reimburse the Company for expenses and provide it with indemnification.
The Hajigak iron ore deposit is situated in the mountainous Bamyan province, 130 km west of the capital, Kabul. It is one of several iron deposits within this area and is the largest located to date.
Kilo Goldmines Ltd is a Canadian gold exploration company operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Company has over 7,000 square kilometers of favorable Archaean Kabalian greenstone in the Kilo Moto area in north eastern DRC. Kilo recently announced an inferred resource on the Adumbi Deposit of the Somituri Project of which the Company owns a 71.25% interest in the DRC entity that holds the Somituri Project Exploitation Permits. The Company is also working on a number of other prospective areas which contain historical workings in the same region. It also has a joint venture with Rio Tinto Ltd. on potential iron ore licences in north eastern DRC.
Kilo Goldmines Ltd while responding to press reports that it has been awarded one of four concession blocks comprising the Hajigak iron ore deposit in Afghanistan by the Afghan Ministry of Mines confirmed that it has submitted a bid in response to a request for proposals from the MOM for the mining rights to the four concession block Hajigak iron ore deposit.
The company has not been notified by the MOM of the outcome of the bidding process.
It said “If selected, Kilo would have the exclusive right to negotiate with the MOM for the mining rights to the concession block for which it was selected as a preferred bidder before a final award is made.”
Although the bid was submitted in the name of the Company, the bid was prepared by an independent group, led by David Buckle, a UK based corporate financier, who would be responsible for the financing and management of the project. If awarded, the project would be held in a new entity with Kilo receiving an initial 20% interest, subject to dilution but with no funding obligation. The independent financing and management structure was presented in the bid documents submitted to the MOM. The Principals are required to reimburse Kilo for expenses incurred in the bidding process and to indemnify it for any losses sustained.
The bid was initiated earlier in the year and the Board determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company to continue with the bid given the potential financial benefits and limited downside risk following the agreement of the Principals to reimburse the Company for expenses and provide it with indemnification.
The Hajigak iron ore deposit is situated in the mountainous Bamyan province, 130 km west of the capital, Kabul. It is one of several iron deposits within this area and is the largest located to date.
Kilo Goldmines Ltd is a Canadian gold exploration company operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Company has over 7,000 square kilometers of favorable Archaean Kabalian greenstone in the Kilo Moto area in north eastern DRC. Kilo recently announced an inferred resource on the Adumbi Deposit of the Somituri Project of which the Company owns a 71.25% interest in the DRC entity that holds the Somituri Project Exploitation Permits. The Company is also working on a number of other prospective areas which contain historical workings in the same region. It also has a joint venture with Rio Tinto Ltd. on potential iron ore licences in north eastern DRC.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
SAIL led consortium may win mining contract in Afghanistan
Tuesday, 01 Nov 2011
TNN reported that shortly after it signed a strategic partnership pact with Afghanistan, India's engagement with Kabul is all set to blossom further with two Indian companies, one of them a government backed consortium led by SAIL, likely to win the contract for iron ore mining at Hajigak in Bamiyan province.
According to US government estimates, in a country where there are untapped mineral resources worth USD 1 trillion, the Hajigak iron ore mining entails the single largest foreign investment by any country for such a project in the war torn country.
SAIL and NMDC are heading a consortium of seven companies which has bid for the contract as a part of the Dr Manmohan Singh led government's initiative to further enhance India's role in Afghanistan, a country in which India has pledged investment worth USD 2 billion. Another Indian company which has bid separately is corporate Ispat Alloys.
According to Afghanistan's minister of mines Mr Wahidullah Shahrani, the two Indian entities have emerged as the most potential companies for Hajigak. The final decision is likely to be taken by Afghan authorities in early November. Other companies from Canada, US and Iran too are in the fray.
Foreign secretary Mr Ranjan Mathai had met Mr Shahrani during his visit to Afghanistan last month during which he is said to have pushed the case for Indian firms.
If the SAIL led consortium does indeed win the contract, the deal will surpass the USD 4 billion contract signed by China for copper mining in the Logar province four years ago. In fact, the contract can help India dispel the notion that it is reduced to playing catch up with China which has won most of the major mining contracts in Afghanistan.
The SAIL led consortium has bid for all four Hajigak mining blocks. Government authorities have backed the bid maintaining that it makes strategic as well commercial sense to have a presence in mining in Afghanistan.
(sourced TimesofIndia)
TNN reported that shortly after it signed a strategic partnership pact with Afghanistan, India's engagement with Kabul is all set to blossom further with two Indian companies, one of them a government backed consortium led by SAIL, likely to win the contract for iron ore mining at Hajigak in Bamiyan province.
According to US government estimates, in a country where there are untapped mineral resources worth USD 1 trillion, the Hajigak iron ore mining entails the single largest foreign investment by any country for such a project in the war torn country.
SAIL and NMDC are heading a consortium of seven companies which has bid for the contract as a part of the Dr Manmohan Singh led government's initiative to further enhance India's role in Afghanistan, a country in which India has pledged investment worth USD 2 billion. Another Indian company which has bid separately is corporate Ispat Alloys.
According to Afghanistan's minister of mines Mr Wahidullah Shahrani, the two Indian entities have emerged as the most potential companies for Hajigak. The final decision is likely to be taken by Afghan authorities in early November. Other companies from Canada, US and Iran too are in the fray.
Foreign secretary Mr Ranjan Mathai had met Mr Shahrani during his visit to Afghanistan last month during which he is said to have pushed the case for Indian firms.
If the SAIL led consortium does indeed win the contract, the deal will surpass the USD 4 billion contract signed by China for copper mining in the Logar province four years ago. In fact, the contract can help India dispel the notion that it is reduced to playing catch up with China which has won most of the major mining contracts in Afghanistan.
The SAIL led consortium has bid for all four Hajigak mining blocks. Government authorities have backed the bid maintaining that it makes strategic as well commercial sense to have a presence in mining in Afghanistan.
(sourced TimesofIndia)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
India, China in line for Afghan mine, oil contracts
Thu,Oct27, 2011
LA HULPE, Belgium (Reuters) - Indian and Chinese bidders are front-runners to be awarded contracts for iron ore and oil projects in coming months, the country's mining minister said on Wednesday.
The winner of the Hajigak iron ore project will be announced in early November, Minister of Mines Wahidullah Shahrani told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference in Belgium.
"Two Indian bidders have emerged as the most potential companies for Hajigak," he said, adding that the bids came from one individual Indian company and one Indian consortium.
The winning bid for oil and gas exploration in northern Afghanistan's Amu Darya field will be decided in early December, Shahrani said.
"China has emerged as the most potential bidder for Amu Darya, and we will announce this in six weeks' time," he added.
(sourced Reuters)
LA HULPE, Belgium (Reuters) - Indian and Chinese bidders are front-runners to be awarded contracts for iron ore and oil projects in coming months, the country's mining minister said on Wednesday.
The winner of the Hajigak iron ore project will be announced in early November, Minister of Mines Wahidullah Shahrani told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference in Belgium.
"Two Indian bidders have emerged as the most potential companies for Hajigak," he said, adding that the bids came from one individual Indian company and one Indian consortium.
The winning bid for oil and gas exploration in northern Afghanistan's Amu Darya field will be decided in early December, Shahrani said.
"China has emerged as the most potential bidder for Amu Darya, and we will announce this in six weeks' time," he added.
(sourced Reuters)
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Indian investment in Hajigak iron ore mine in Afghanistan
Saturday, 27 Aug 2011
Mr Dinsha Patel minister of state for mines informed the Lok Sabha that the government of Afghanistan had invited offers for commercial exploitation of Hajigak Iron Ore Deposit through the process of competitive bidding.
The ministry of mines convened a meeting of Indian mining companies, both private and public sector, on January 6th2011 and requested them to participate in the Expression of Interest.
The ministry of steel thereafter held a series of meetings to address the concerns expressed by the companies. The last date for bidding is September 4th 2011. The final decision of participation in the competitive bidding process, is a commercial decision of the individual companies.
Mr Dinsha Patel minister of state for mines informed the Lok Sabha that the government of Afghanistan had invited offers for commercial exploitation of Hajigak Iron Ore Deposit through the process of competitive bidding.
The ministry of mines convened a meeting of Indian mining companies, both private and public sector, on January 6th2011 and requested them to participate in the Expression of Interest.
The ministry of steel thereafter held a series of meetings to address the concerns expressed by the companies. The last date for bidding is September 4th 2011. The final decision of participation in the competitive bidding process, is a commercial decision of the individual companies.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
SAIL to lead Indian charge for iron ore mine acquisition in Afghan
Sunday, 21 Aug 2011
It is reported that Steel Authority of India Limited along with three public sector units and three private sector companies are to form a consortium to submit the final bid for the Hajigak iron ore mines in Afghanistan estimated to have reserves of around 1.8 billion tonnes.
This is the first time that consortium of public and private firms are teaming up to bid for a mining asset abroad.
Mr CS Verma chairman of SAIL said the three public sector units would be National Mineral Development Corporation, the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited and SAIL, though he deferred naming the private companies that would bid for the mine.
Mr Verma said that "This will be a watershed event in public and private partnership.”
He preferred not to comment on the valuation of the mines, citing confidentiality clauses embedded in the deal.
The Hajigak deposits, located in the mountainous Bamiyan province, 130 kilometre West of Kabul, are among the biggest untapped reserves in the world with high quality magnetite with 63% iron content. According to reports, the Afghanistan government has estimated that the project will require investments of about USD 3 billion over a 30 year period, with the government allowing the entire output from the mines to be exported.
The Afghanistan government had recently extended the deadline for bidding to September 4 from it earlier August 2 deadlines. It has already indicated its preference for companies which would offer development plans from mining of iron ore to vertically integrated processes, including making of steel.
Besides SAIL and NMDC, other Indian companies like TATA Steel, JSW, Jindal Steel and Power, Bhushan Steel and Monnet Ispat are among the 15 Indian firms that have been shortlisted by the Afghanistan government.
(Sourced Mineweb.com)
It is reported that Steel Authority of India Limited along with three public sector units and three private sector companies are to form a consortium to submit the final bid for the Hajigak iron ore mines in Afghanistan estimated to have reserves of around 1.8 billion tonnes.
This is the first time that consortium of public and private firms are teaming up to bid for a mining asset abroad.
Mr CS Verma chairman of SAIL said the three public sector units would be National Mineral Development Corporation, the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited and SAIL, though he deferred naming the private companies that would bid for the mine.
Mr Verma said that "This will be a watershed event in public and private partnership.”
He preferred not to comment on the valuation of the mines, citing confidentiality clauses embedded in the deal.
The Hajigak deposits, located in the mountainous Bamiyan province, 130 kilometre West of Kabul, are among the biggest untapped reserves in the world with high quality magnetite with 63% iron content. According to reports, the Afghanistan government has estimated that the project will require investments of about USD 3 billion over a 30 year period, with the government allowing the entire output from the mines to be exported.
The Afghanistan government had recently extended the deadline for bidding to September 4 from it earlier August 2 deadlines. It has already indicated its preference for companies which would offer development plans from mining of iron ore to vertically integrated processes, including making of steel.
Besides SAIL and NMDC, other Indian companies like TATA Steel, JSW, Jindal Steel and Power, Bhushan Steel and Monnet Ispat are among the 15 Indian firms that have been shortlisted by the Afghanistan government.
(Sourced Mineweb.com)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Indian steel makers in race for Afghan mines
Thursday, 20 Jan 2011
PTI reported that leading private and state run steel firms including TATAs, Essar and SAIL are among the 14 Indian companies that have evinced interest in developing the Hajigak mines, containing an estimated 1.8 billion tonnes of iron ore, in Afghanistan.
The war torn country had invited an Expression of Interest to develop the mine, which it said is a part of its huge proven reserves worth an estimated USD 3 trillion.
Mr S Vijay Kumar mines secretary told PTI that "Fourteen Indian companies including TATA Steel, SAIL, Essar, NMDC and RINL have responded to the EoI floated by the Afghan government to develop its Hajigak mines.”
He said “These companies may bid for the assets up for offer in consortia or may go it alone in the upcoming auction. They will take a call in this regard after the Afghan government announces the modalities for the bidding round.”
Afghanistan had invited EoIs for multiple exploration concessions falling within the Hajigak mines. The last date for submission of EOIs was January 13. The Afghan government had said the selected bidder will be granted the concessions under Afghan Mineral Law.
Sourced from www.deccanherald.com and PTI
PTI reported that leading private and state run steel firms including TATAs, Essar and SAIL are among the 14 Indian companies that have evinced interest in developing the Hajigak mines, containing an estimated 1.8 billion tonnes of iron ore, in Afghanistan.
The war torn country had invited an Expression of Interest to develop the mine, which it said is a part of its huge proven reserves worth an estimated USD 3 trillion.
Mr S Vijay Kumar mines secretary told PTI that "Fourteen Indian companies including TATA Steel, SAIL, Essar, NMDC and RINL have responded to the EoI floated by the Afghan government to develop its Hajigak mines.”
He said “These companies may bid for the assets up for offer in consortia or may go it alone in the upcoming auction. They will take a call in this regard after the Afghan government announces the modalities for the bidding round.”
Afghanistan had invited EoIs for multiple exploration concessions falling within the Hajigak mines. The last date for submission of EOIs was January 13. The Afghan government had said the selected bidder will be granted the concessions under Afghan Mineral Law.
Sourced from www.deccanherald.com and PTI
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