Memorandum of Understanding for Protection of Historical and Cultural Heritage at
Aynak Copper Mines
Between
Ministry of Mines
&
Ministry of Information and Culture, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
I.
Purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is that the Ministry of Mines and
Ministry of Information and Culture of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan agree to work
together for the purpose of protection and preservation of cultural and historical heritage at
Aynak copper mines.
II.
Background
Current Situation
The Government is taking concerted action to conserve Afghanistan’s historical heritage as it
develops the economically significant copper mine at Aynak, site of many Buddhist antiquities
from the second century BC until at least to the sixth century CE.
Extraction of the copper at Aynak is estimated to contribute up to US $ 1.2 billion annually to
Afghanistan’s GDP within four years. In addition, development of the site and the transport
infrastructure to export the processed copper will generate much needed jobs and economic
activity in the area. While development of Aynak is in the national interest, Government is
committed to preserve its cultural and historical heritage and provide any help needed by the
archaeologists to carry out their research in the best possible conditions before the start of the
mining activities.
Roles of Mines and Ministry of Information & Culture
The Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Information and Culture of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan (IRA) for the purpose of protection and preservation of historical and cultural
heritage at Aynak copper mines have reached understanding as follows:
Article I
In recognition of the archaeological importance of the Aynak site, the Ministry of Mines will
work closely with the Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC) to ensure that development of
the Aynak Copper Mine fully takes account of the need to conserve and preserve the many
antiquities discovered on the site. Both Ministries will continue to work closely together to
ensure the safe removal and relocation of the antiquities and action to conserve them.
Article II
Ministry of Mines is committed to provide any help needed by the archaeologists to carry out
their research in the best possible conditions before the start of the mining activities.
The Ministry of Mines will use its regulatory powers to ensure protection of historical and
cultural relics in the development of the Aynak site in accordance with Afghanistan’s Minerals
Law, the Preservation of Afghanistan’s Historical & Cultural Artefacts (2004) Law and the
conditions of the Aynak Mining Contract.
Article III
The two Ministries will coordinate with the activities of the French archaeological team DAFA
(Delegation Archéologique Française in Afghanistan on the site engaged by the government to
carry out archeological assessment and prepare management plan to protect the Buddhist
artifacts at Aynak.
Article IV
The two ministries will coordinate and present to the public and the media a coherent position
with respect to government’s management plan for the protection and preservation of cultural
heritage at Aynak.
Article V
The two ministries will together organize for disclosure and media dissemination of the Physical
Cultural Resources Assessment and Mitigation Plan and public consultations on this plan.
Article VI
A museum dedicated to Mes Aynak will be built by the Ministry of Information and Culture with
the support of Ministry of Mines in the Logar province in the proximity of the mine to provide
safe storage and display of the antiquities collected during the archeological excavations.
Ministry of Culture & Information will supervise this work.
Article VI
The two Ministries agree to share information, data as may be necessary for the protection and
preservation of historical and cultural heritage at Aynak.
Article VII
The two Ministries shall appoint focal points who would be responsible for coordination and
holding meetings to monitor the implementation of provisions of this Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU).
Article VIII
This MOU shall enter into force immediately on signing and will be in force till all the artifacts
have been safely removed from Aynak and preserved properly and those which could not be
moved have been protected in situ. Both parties may amend or modify this agreement by way
of mutual consent in writing.
Done in duplicates in -------------------- on ----------------- in the Dari and English languages, all two
texts being equally authentic. In case of any dispute, the English text shall prevail.
----------------------------------------------For the Ministry of Information and Culture
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
--------------------------------------------For the Ministry of Mines
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan