China's mining ambitions in Afghanistan haunted by militants

ISIS-K steps up threats and attacks as Beijing eyes oil and copper

20230126 afghan copper

Taliban soldiers stand guard in Mes Aynak valley, around 40 km from Kabul, where China is eyeing massive copper reserves. © AP

MIFRAH HAQ, Contributing writer

KARACHI -- Escalating threats from Islamist militants are casting doubt on the future of big-money Chinese mining projects in Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas (CAPEIC) signed a 25-year oil extraction deal with the Afghan Taliban authorities for the Amu River oil field in northwestern Afghanistan. The company is expected to invest $150 million in the first year of the contract and $540 million over three years.

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