SAIL-led consortium to bid for Afghan reserves

A SAIL-led consortium will bid for copper and gold reserves in the mineral-rich country, steel minister Beni Prasad Verma said on Wednesday. Verma met Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday during his visit there and discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation and mutual development. SAIL-led consortium and Afghanistan government are likely to ink a final pact in May to develop Hajigak iron ore mines and set up steel and power plants there.