MNA � IMIDRO head has voiced Iran�s readiness to launch cooperation with the Afghan government over technology transfer, exploration and processing in mining sector.


Managing Director Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) Mehdi Karbasian made the remarks at a meeting with senior officials of Afghanistan�s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, and the Afghan Ministry of Finance.

�Both Iran and Afghanistan possess excellent potentials in mining sector though war has prevented Afghans from reaching full capacity in exploiting mining resources,� he underlined.

He said Iran was eager to help develop Afghanistan as a friend and neighbor and regardless of financial issues; �given the unique location of Sangan mining complex which overseas both countries, great opportunities exist for bilateral collaborations.�

The official also pointed to readiness to establish a joint plant between the two countries saying �Iran, with its huge resources of natural gas, can join hands with Afghanistan in exploring and extracting its massive reserves of iron ore.�

Karbasian suggested that private sectors undertake the projects while being supported by governments of Iran and Afghanistan.

President of IMIDRO went on to enumerate other venues for cooperation between the two parties like launching of a mining research center in Afghanistan and inauguration of Tehran-Harat railway which will ease transfer of mineral products.

Meanwhile, Head of Afghanistan Geological Survey (AGS) Taher Rezaie expressed satisfaction over cooperation in transfer of mining know-how adding �Afghan officials aim to match up with Iran in the field of extractive industries.

�Security issues have caused the lag in obtaining macroeconomic goals,� emphasized the visiting official explaining that �in a bid to compensate for the lag, several delegations have deployed to Iran in order to observe its capacities in the mining sector.�

�During the visit, the Afghan delegation visited Iran Mineral Processing Research Center (IMPRC) and Sangan factories,� he continued.

The official went on to note that the Afghan government was willing to import rebar, cement and bitumen from Iran; �in the previous government, measures to launch exploration cooperation with China and India ended in failure hence the selection of Iran as a good partner in the mining sector.�

Afghan nine-member delegation headed by Rezaie is also scheduled to visit Yazd and Tabas mines in a bid to visiting mines, getting familiar with technology and science transfer.