Hydrocarbon resources: Conducting geological exploration works in the “Afghan-Tajik” oil and gas basin, including the Muhammad-Jandagar, Shamar, and Ahmadabad blocks.
Iron ore: Carrying out studies at the Hesh iron ore deposit in Bamiyan Province and preparing a feasibility study for resource development.
Copper deposits: Conducting geological research and developing a feasibility study for the use of reserves at the promising Kundalan site in Zabul Province.
In order to launch and develop activities in Afghanistan, an Action Plan was prepared for conducting geological exploration works at the iron (Hesh), copper (Kundalan), and hydrocarbon (Muhammad-Jandagar, Ahmadabad, Shamar) sites. This plan was approved by the Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan, Mullah Hidayatullah Badri. To effectively organize the company’s operations in Afghanistan, a branch office was opened in Kabul. An agreement was signed with the National Development Corporation to establish a joint venture for the study and development of Afghanistan’s iron ore resources. Negotiations were also held with the international companies DMT Consulting and SRK Consulting to involve them in geological exploration in compliance with JORC code requirements.
An agreement was reached to attract Afghan youth to study at the University of Geological Sciences of Uzbekistan. From the 2025–2026 academic year, 15 students and trainees from Afghanistan are planned to study in undergraduate, master’s, and professional development programs. The joint study of sandstone-type uranium deposits in Afghanistan’s Khost, Logar, Helmand, and other provinces is also under discussion. To address possible issues arising in the course of geological exploration works, an official permit (authorization) was obtained from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan.
On January 25, 2025, Resolution No. 36 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan defined the implementation of promising projects aimed at developing Afghanistan’s mineral raw material resources.
In the future, direct contracts are expected to be signed for geological exploration and research works at Afghanistan’s Kundalan, Hesh, Muhammad-Jandagar, Ahmadabad, and Shamar prospective sites. Major industrial enterprises of Uzbekistan—Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine JSC, Uzmetkombinat JSC, and Uzbekneftegaz JSC—have been designated as the customers of these projects.
