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Taliban signs $6.6bn mining contracts with local and foreign companies in Afghanistan 

The Taliban Government in Afghanistan said on Thursday it has signed seven mining contracts amounting to $6.6bn (Af527.4bn) in investment, a record round of such deals since it seized power in 2021. The Office of the Acting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, said in a statement: “A total of $6.6bn will be invested in these seven projects. This will create thousands of jobs and significantly improve the economic situation of the country.”

UK and Zambia announce renewables and mining investments

The British Government has agreed a partnership with Zambia covering clean energy and critical mineral supply worth more than $3.7bn (£2.91bn). The UK will aim to generate $3.1bn of private sector investment for the Zambian mining and renewable energy industries. A further $600m of funding will come in the form of UK Government-backed investments.

AQC announces $50m of funding for its Dartbrook thermal coal mine

Australian Pacific Coal (AQC) has announced that it has secured A$75m ($50m) in preliminary debt funding for the restart of its Dartbrook thermal coal mine. The mine has not produced coal since 2007, when it was put under care and maintenance. In a statement, AQC said that it will resume operations at the project by the end of 2023.

Ford and partners to build $887m EV battery materials plant in Canada

A consortium of companies led by automaker Ford will build a C$1.2bn (US$887m) cathode manufacturing facility in Canada. The plant will be located in Becancour, Quebec, and will provide electric vehicle battery materials. The facility is Ford’s first investment in Quebec and is part of the carmaker’s plan to localise battery raw material processing in North America.