Short information about the Ministry of Mines

According to the Afghan constitution, article nine, the government of Afghanistan owns mines and other natural resources. In connection to this, the Ministry of Mines as a key sectoral ministry is currently Involved in the research, exploration, development, exploitation, and processing of minerals and hydrocarbons,  The Ministry is also  responsible for protection of ownership, transportation and marketing of those resources in accordance to the countries new Laws (Minerals and Hydrocarbons). The long term vision of the Ministry is the creation of an effective administration, utilization of natural resources, creation of jobs,  the  encouragement of private investment in the mining and hydrocarbon sectors, and increasing  government revenue.

To enhance the promotion of private sector investment in the mining and hydrocarbons sectors, a contract was singed with United State Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a remote sensing survey of the country. The USGS in collaboration with the United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) conducted an airborne geophysical and remote sensing survey of Afghanistan during the summer of 2006. Data collected by this survey has provided in addition to other vital information, basic insight into the occurrence of mineral resources for the economic development which in turn should serve as a tool for private investors.
The Ministry of Mines employs approximately 6800 staff consisting of managers; researchers, technical, professional, and administrative staff around the country. A brief job description and responsibilities of each department is provided bellow:

Mining Deputy Minister:  Handles technical, financial, and cultural issues. He is also involved in procurement of contracts.Click here

Sectoral Deputy Minister:  Handles privatization of mines and industrial minerals and manages the Mining Cadastre, Inspectorate, and Environmental Protection Divisions.Click here

Chief of Staff: This office is the implementer of the decrees of the Office of the President, decisions of the Council of Ministers, order of the Minister, and the deputies. It also functions as a liaison with other government branches.

Policy Planning Division: Coordinates implementation of policies and plans that are geared towards facilitating foreign and local private sector investment in the mining and hydrocarbons, in accordance with the national policy.

Mining Cadastre Division: Assesses fees for processing of applications for Mineral Rights, transfers Mining Rights, issues
Mineral Right certificates, and registers Mineral Rights.

Mining Inspectorate Division: To inspect and supervise mines with regard to health, safety, and work procedures; evaluate applications for Mineral Rights; inspect the sites, equipment, and records of entities engaged in mining activities, issue orders concerning payment of fines and penalties, supervises compilation of statistics and information about the production and sale of products from Mines and Quarries.

Environmental protection Division: Evaluates rehabilitation and mitigation plans in relation to the exploration for minerals and mineral substances; evaluates environmental impact statements and the environmental management plans of the mining license applicants; and verifies compliance with environmental regulations regarding mineral activities; and cooperates with other state environmental protection agencies 

Mining Division:  Furnishes information on mining activities, evaluates production and technical reports.

Mineral Processing Division: Oversees industrial use of minerals and mining activities.

Afghanistan Geological survey:  Conducts geological mapping, prospecting, and exploration of mineral and oil and gas deposits.Afghan Geological Survey

Oil and Gas Division: Promotes investment in the oil and gas sector by the local and foreign investors.

Administrative Division:  Makes decision on budget, human resources, general services financial plans, revenues, and production.

Logistics Division:   Provides the technical needs for all project, spare parts for machinery, chemical material for the ministries industrial facilities.

Internal Inspectorate Division: Inspects financial transactions, technical projects and contracts.