Wahidullah Shahrani the Minister of Mines

Afghanistan is endowed with vast quantities of natural resources, including extensive deposits of copper, iron, coal, marble, precious metals, gemstones and hydrocarbons. Unique to Afghanistan, these resources have remained untouched and undeveloped.  Generations of instability have resulted in little exploration, minor development attempts and an inadequate infrastructure for development and transportation of these resources.

In order to realize the tremendous potential of Afghanistan's resources, a number of reform initiatives have been launched in the Ministry of Mines.

  Recently the Ministry of Mines has completed its first ever Business Plan, which is a significant restructuring and reform package to better allow the Ministry of Mines to accommodate the changing needs of the industry. 

 There is an overall driving goal of finical independence for Afghanistan.  Development of mineral resources and development of growth along infrastructure corridors needed for mineral resource extraction can supply the economic impetus to achieve goal.  Recognizing this, there is a strong resurgence in identifying, exploring and developing the mineral and hydrocarbons resources of Afghanistan.  This development will play a huge function for the long term economic and social sustainability of the country.  Therefore the Ministry of Mines plans to move forward with development of these natural resources at an unparalleled pace.

The vision of the Ministry of Mines is to be an enabler of the sector’s development and steward of all mineral and hydrocarbon resources through the implementation of international best practice policies, regulations and procedures to encourage environmentally and socially acceptable private investment.

It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Mines to ensure progress in research, exploration, development, and exploitation of both minerals and hydrocarbons. The Ministry of Mines is also responsible for protection of rights to exploit, transport, and market these resources in accordance to the countries Mineral and Hydrocarbon Laws, Regulations and Policies.