Chinese engineers and Taliban officials began work at Afghanistan’s Mes Aynak, which holds the world’s second-largest copper deposit, following a 16-year delay due to war.

Located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Kabul, Mes Aynak is estimated to contain 11.5mn tonnes of copper ore. This resource, essential for electronics, has seen rising demand and prices in recent years.

The $3bn mining deal, signed in 2008 with a Chinese state-owned firm, was stalled by ongoing conflict between NATO-led forces and Taliban insurgents. With the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 and the withdrawal of foreign troops, efforts to tap into Afghanistan's vast natural resources have resumed.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony in Shast Bandari marked the start of construction for a crucial nine-kilometer (six-mile) access road in Logar province.

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar stressed the need for rapid progress, stating, “The time wasted in the implementation of the project should be recuperated with speedy work.”

The road is expected to be completed by early next year, improving logistical access for the mining operations. Officials project it will take at least two years before the first copper is extracted by the China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC).

This initiative aligns with the current high copper prices, driven by growing markets for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, and artificial intelligence infrastructure. As the world’s largest copper consumer, China aims to secure reliable mineral resources amid shifting geopolitical and economic landscapes.

China’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Zhao Xing, emphasized the strategic importance of the project, highlighting the deepening economic ties between the two nations and the potential for increased bilateral trade and cooperation.