The Ministry of Mines was active within the government structure during the reign of King Amanullah Khan under various titles, such as the Mines Mission, Mines Directorate, and General Directorate of Mines, operating within the framework of the Ministry of Commerce. Later, in 1937, during the premiership of Mohammad Hashim Khan, it developed into an independent Directorate of Mines. Subsequently, the Ministry of Commerce was renamed the Ministry of National Economy, and the mines sector was re-established within this ministry under a dedicated directorate.

Over time, with increased experience in this sector and the expansion of its activities, the government of that period decided in 1939, due to the significant role of mines in economic growth and stability, to establish the Ministry of Mines. Following government approval, the Ministry of Mines began its operations under the leadership of Rahimullah Khan. During this period, most activities were focused on the extraction and sale of salt from the Kalafgan mine and coal from the Kajikhil mine in Ghorband.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the government of that time established a single ministry called the “Ministry of Industries and Mines” to manage two key sectors of the country: industry and mining. Later, in 2002, under the new government, the structure of ministries underwent fundamental changes, and the Ministry of Industries and Mines was divided into two separate ministries: The Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Commerce and Industries. Subsequently, based on a presidential decree, the name of the Ministry of Mines was changed to the “Ministry of Mines and Petroleum.”

1. Vision:
   To have a stable, transparent, and efficient extractive and operational sector for the strengthening and development of the country’s economy.
2. Mission:
   To formulate policies, manage contracts, and regulate the mining sector as well as oil and gas operations throughout the country.
3. Objectives:

• To control, manage, and regulate matters related to mining and oil and gas operations.
• To create appropriate opportunities in the mining and petroleum sector and attract investment.
• To generate revenue from the mining sector for the strengthening, growth, and development of the country’s economy.

4. Functions of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum:

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has the following key functions and responsibilities in regulating mineral activities and oil and gas operations:

1. Conducting exploration, prospecting, and geological surveys of the country’s mineral, oil, and gas resources.
   b. Initiating and managing the bidding processes for mining and oil and gas operation contracts.
   c. Monitoring mining and oil and gas operation contracts and collecting related revenues.
2. Drafting and developing the necessary legislative documents, plans, and policies for the mining sector.
3. Organizational Structure:

According to the 2025 organizational structure of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, it has a structured administrative setup at the central and provincial levels, with a total of 2,696 employees working within the ministry’s organization.

1. Central Structure:

• The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has four deputy offices and one independent general directorate, as well as 46 central directorates. Each of these is responsible, within a defined framework, for implementing relevant programs and carrying out its specialized functions.
• Minister’s Office: The structure includes the following directorates:

1. Directorate of Provincial Affairs Coordination
2. Northeastern Zone Directorate
3. Minister’s Office Directorate
4. Directorate of Public Relations and Information
5. Internal Audit Directorate
6. Directorate of Mines Protection
7. Directorate of Da‘wah and Guidance
8. Directorate of the Mines Institute

• Deputy for Finance and Administration: This deputy office includes the following directorates:

1. Directorate of Finance and Accounting
2. Directorate of Human Resources
3. Directorate of Procurement
4. Directorate of Administration and Services
5. Directorate of Information Technology
6. Directorate of Revenue Regulation

• Deputy for Policy and Programs: This deputy office includes the following directorates:

1. General Directorate of Legal Affairs
2. Directorate of Legal Services
3. Directorate of Drafting and Documentation
4. General Directorate of Evaluation, Monitoring, and Planning
5. Directorate of Evaluation and Monitoring
6. Directorate of Planning and Reporting
7. Directorate of International Relations and Donor Coordination
8. Directorate of Policy Research and Development
9. Directorate of Investment Facilitation

• Deputy for Technical Affairs: The structure includes the following directorates:

1. General Directorate of Cadastre and Contract Implementation
2. Directorate of Management and Implementation of Metallic Mines
3. Directorate of Management and Implementation of Non-Metallic Mines
4. Directorate of Artisanal Mining
5. Directorate of Technical Inspection of Mines
6. Mes Aynak Project Directorate

• Deputy for Geological Surveys: The structure includes the following directorates:

1. General Directorate of Geological Data and Systems
2. Directorate of Information Systems Management
3. Directorate of Remote Sensing and GIS
4. General Directorate of Mineral Exploration and Prospecting
5. Directorate of Geophysical Research and Surveys
6. Directorate of Mineral Exploration
7. Directorate of Laboratories
8. Directorate of Geological Environmental Protection

• General Directorate of Petroleum: The General Directorate of Petroleum includes the following directorates:

1. Directorate of Technical Inspection of Oil and Gas
2. Directorate of Oil and Gas Surveys
3. Directorate of Implementation and Monitoring of Oil and Gas Contracts
4. Directorate of Financial Regulation and Monitoring of Oil and Gas Contracts
5. TAPI Coordination Directorate
6. Provincial Structure:
   The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has 29 directorates and 5 independent provincial offices.
7. Principles, Laws, and Legal Documents:

Since its establishment, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has, in order to establish a structured and stable legal system, drafted, processed, and promulgated legislative documents as needed and in accordance with the requirements of the time.

1. Laws and Regulations
2. 2018 Mining Law
3. 2019 Mining Operations Regulation
4. 2008 Oil and Gas (Hydrocarbons) Law
5. 2017 Oil and Gas (Hydrocarbons) Law
6. 2009 Oil and Gas Regulation
7. 2020 Ministry of Mines and Petroleum Field Staff Privileges Regulation
8. Interim Inspectors’ Work Procedure (Enforced by the Emirate)
9. Procedure for Awarding Mining Contracts for Public Utility Projects (Enforced by the Emirate)
10. Mining Protection Committee Procedure (Enforced by the Emirate)
11. Royalty Pricing Committee Procedure (Enforced by the Emirate)
12. Construction Materials Guide (Enforced by the Emirate)
13. Artisanal Mining Guide (Enforced by the Emirate)
14. Correspondence and Documentation Guide (Enforced by the Emirate)
15. Guide for Visits by Domestic and Foreign Persons to Mining Areas (Enforced by the Emirate)
16. Guide for Preliminary Survey of Mineral Resources Based on Individual Requests (Enforced by the Emirate)
17. Guide for Pre-Qualification Questionnaire Evaluation (Enforced by the Emirate)
18. Gold Mining Activities Guide (Enforced by the Emirate)
19. Mechanism for Issuing Permits for Infrastructure and Facilities for Mining Contract Holders (Enforced by the Emirate)

1. Relevant Policies and Strategies:

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has developed short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans to ensure the effective use of natural mineral resources, attract domestic and foreign investment, increase national revenues, create employment, and efficiently manage the mining sector. These include:

1. National Mineral Policy
2. Mining Sector Revenue Policy

11. Number of Employees:

The Directorate of Administration and Services of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum manages a total of (0202927128) employees.

Media, institutions, citizens, and other stakeholders can contact the ministry through the following official channels for submitting suggestions, coordinating programs, or establishing official communication:

• Directorate of Public Relations and Information: pr@momp.gov.af / 0202927192
• Minister’s Office Directorate: chiefofstaff@momp.gov.af / 0202927106
• Official Website of the Ministry: momp.gov.af

12. Working Hours:

The working hours of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum are organized according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs’ operational procedures.

13. Publication of Announcements and News:

Announcements, information, reports, and official statements are published and made publicly accessible through the Ministry’s official website (www.momp.gov.af) and the “Ma‘aden” magazine.

14. Transparency and Complaints:

The Ministry has established an organized and effective mechanism for handling complaints, which can be submitted physically or online.

1. Complaint Submission Addresses and Contact Channels:

Individuals can submit complaints online via telephone number (0202927192), phone code (181), email: Complaints@momp.gov.af, or physically at the Ministry’s central office and provincial directorates.

15. Geological Documents and Information:

The Ministry maintains and protects geological documents and information related to the mining and petroleum sector, which may be made publicly accessible according to applicable legal provisions.

16. Public Services:

Within the limits of its authority and in accordance with relevant legal provisions, the Ministry provides the following services:

1. Mining Licenses and Contracts:

1. Large-scale mining contract (exploration and exploitation license)
2. Small-scale mining contract
3. Construction materials mining license
4. Artisanal mining license

1. Permits:

1. Export and transport permit for mineral resources
2. Mineral processing permit
3. Permit for construction of infrastructure and facilities
4. Oil and gas operations contracts and permits

17. 17. Contract Awarding Procedures:
18. Large and Small-Scale Mining Procedures:

1. Mining survey of areas
2. Allocation of mining areas
3. Announcement of mining areas
4. Initiating the bidding process
5. Signing the mining contract with the successful bidder
6. Issuing exploration and exploitation licenses according to contract terms
7. Collecting revenues and monitoring compliance with license and contract terms

1. Construction Materials Mining License Procedures:

1. Mining survey of areas
2. Allocation of mining areas
3. Announcement of mining areas
4. Initiating the bidding process
5. Issuing the license to the successful bidder
6. Collecting revenues and monitoring compliance with license and contract terms

1. Artisanal Mining License Procedures:

1. Submission of request by applicant
2. Allocation of areas
3. Survey of areas
4. Evaluation of the applicant’s request
5. Issuing the license
6. Collecting revenues and monitoring compliance with license and contract terms

1. Oil and Gas Operations Contract Procedures:

1. Survey of areas
2. Allocation of areas
3. Initiating the bidding process
4. Signing oil and gas operations contracts
5. Collecting revenues and monitoring compliance with contract terms

21. Links and Portals:

• Online Petition System for Citizens:

 https://pmis.momp.gov.af/create_petition

• Online Petition System for Companies:

 http://180.94.92.122/create_petition   

• Official Website of the Ministry:

 http://www.momp.gov.af