Coal news and updates

Kabul Eyes China, India For Coal Exports, Expanding Global Market

Kabul, Afghanistan – The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum on Sunday said Afghanistan is looking for new markets to expands distribution of its coal, as India and China show interest in the product.

Pakistan is the biggest buyer of Afghan coal for many years, covering its winter needs for thousands of households in the country.

According to the official of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, separate delegations from China and India have discussed purchasing Afghan coal, as they eye to expands its reach for exporting natural resources.

“China's delegations want a safe way to export the country's coal, for now Badakhshan is a good way but Badakhshan doesn't have good roads and Chah Bahar is another way,” said Esmatullah Burhan, spokesman for the Mines and Petroleum Ministry, as TOLOnews quoted.

Chamber of Commerce and Investment said the coal mines provides job opportunities for Afghans in the country.

“Coal, and the export of coal, makes up ten to fifteen percent of job opportunities,” said Khan Jan Alokozai, a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment. 

Meanwhile, Afghanistan National Standards Authority seeks to start a lab to stabilize the quality of coal and gain credibility in global markets. 

“We want to activate a lab to standardize the quality of our coal and this confirmation will allow our coal to count in global markets,” said Ashiq Ullah Wazir spokesman for Afghanistan National Standards Authority, as local media quoted.