By: Yar Sana

Mining Minister of Afghanistan in Toronto

Afghanistan's untapped mining sector is very attractive for the world's resource companies. Toronto hosted Ibrahim Adel, Minister of Mines of Afghanistan.

On March 1, 2008 Afghan community, representatives from Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Toronto Board of Trade (World Trade Center), the Atlantic Council, the Canada India Business Council, the U.S Department of Commerce, Canadian Afghan Business council Afghan community journalists participated in this event.

Minster Adel presented a very detailed and insightful review of the activities, processes, achievements and plans of his monastery and asked the
participants to come to Afghanistan and take full advantage of these historic opportunities.

Minister Adel noted that while the Canadian mining company Hunter Dickinson did not win the "Ainak" mine bid, the company did acknowledge the full transparency of the bid evaluation process in Afghanistan.
He mentioned that there are quite a few medium and larger sized mines that are coming up for the bidding process this year and next year, and expressed his hope that Canadian mining companies will take full.

Minister mentioned that his ministry has potential to produce just 5% of Afghan mines, will make 30 000 workplaces. Minister’s speech orientation was about Ainak Copper Mine in the province Lougar , Afghanistan.

After minister’s speech, in a briefing community journalists had an opportunity for questions. I as a journalist had a chance for asking the first questions. My first question was about construction of melting metal complex in Afghanistan and second question about contributing of afghan government in privatization of mine recourses. The answer of the minister for the first question was positive. Till I’m not optimist about plan of industrial countries regarding export of staples from Afghanistan and selling of goods back to Afghanistan. The answer for my second question was very sad for Afghan and big damage for economy of Afghanistan. As everyone knows contribution of government in an economy sector usually reaches 51%. But contribution of Afghan government in privatization of mine recourse will be 28-35%, as mentioned minister of mines.

My colleague Dr. Lalzad from the monthly newspaper, “Andisha-eNau”(New view), asked a controversial question about uranium mines in province of Helmand, which at the hand of British Army. Minister wanted to skip the answer, but Afghan-Canadian journalists persisted the question.” British Army gourds the uranium mines in Helmand, they couldn’t exploited for security reason”, said minister. The problem is very serious and interesting. It’s more than interesting, that all media in the world don’t have even one story about existing of uranium mines in Afghanistan and involvement of British army in this extra important issue.

The most controversial issue in briefing was the problem of illegal exploitation of Afghan mines by private people, warlords, and contraband. “Unfortunately our government and international coalition forces still not able to prevent illegal exploitation of mines resources, specially jewels and gold”. Answered Minister Adel.

Why 50 thousands of soldiers from “international community”, Afghanistan Army and Police not able to protect the mines in Afghanistan? The answer is very simple. The most members of this government involved or participant of the spoiling in Afghanistan and are they getting support from their international friends. Their all together involved in this problem and interested on inability of Afghan government to protect mines resources.

That’s why war and instability continues in Afghanistan. In my opinion illegal exploitation of mines resources will be a reality for decades.