KABUL - The Afghan Ministry of Mines on Saturday announced that it is selling the rights to develop Bamiyan's Siya Dara iron mine.
Afghan Minister of Mines Wahidullah Sharani said that the bidding process for Siya Dara will start after the agreement to develop the Hajigak iron mine has been signed.

"We want to sell one of the biggest iron mines in Yakulang district, called Siya Dara. This mine is vital in the construction of Bamyan-Herat railway," Mr Sharani said.

It is possible that tens of thousands of tons of iron and coal worth billions of dollars could be extracted from this mine, the minister added.

The mine, which is located in the Yakulang district of Bamyan, consists of 62 per cent iron. The mine also contains other raw materials used in the manufacture of steel.