KABUL, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan has secured more than 10 billion afghanis (over 151 million U.S. dollars) in investment for both small- and large-scale mining projects over the past year, government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Sunday.
Addressing an online press conference reviewing the administration's economic progress, Mujahid said that the capital inflows had targeted a diverse range of minerals, including gold, marble, nephrite, chromite, coal, salt, iron, zinc, polymetallic, fluorite, gypsum, granite and other resources.
During the same period, authorities issued 1,138 professional mining licenses and 72 mineral processing licenses, said the official, adding that 45 mineral sites were identified and formally registered across 27 provinces.
Mujahid stressed that mining operations nationwide are now conducted in a professional and standardized manner.
He further highlighted the sector's significant contribution to employment, noting that around 200,000 people are currently engaged in mining activities across the country.
Afghanistan, long recognized for its abundant mineral reserves, has in recent years intensified efforts to regulate and systematically develop its natural resource wealth. ■