The deadline for bids for Afghanistan's giant Hajigak iron ore deposit has been extended by a month to September 4 at the request of companies interested in the project.

Mr Wahidullah Shahrani mines minister of Afghanistan said that 17 companies, mainly from India, are interested in developing the deposits and would now have until September 4 to submit their bids.

He said “Because of the complex nature of the operation and the massive size of the deposit, most of the companies have asked for a one month extension, which we have agreed.”

He said he expects to award the contract some time in November.

The Hajigak project, which straddles the central provinces of Bamiyan, Parwan and Wardak, has deposits of 2 billion tonnes of iron oreand is described by the Afghan government as Asia's largest un mined iron deposit.

(Sourced from gulf-daily-news.com)