Copper mining project in Dana Biosphere Reserve to create 800 jobs, says Energy Minister

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Dr. Saleh Kharabsheh emphasized the strategic importance of leveraging Jordan’s mineral wealth across various regions, particularly the copper reserves in the Dana Biosphere Reserve.

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He assured that the project prioritizes environmental preservation alongside resource exploitation.

Kharabsheh stated that the copper mining initiative has progressed steadily since signing 13 memorandums of understanding for natural resource extraction, including four specifically for copper.

The project is expected to bolster Jordan's economy and generate around 800 direct jobs, alongside indirect employment opportunities for the local community.

The minister highlighted the government's commitment to enhancing investment conditions in the mining sector while promoting sustainable economic development. He also stressed the importance of inter-ministerial coordination to ensure projects align with environmental standards.

The remarks came during a meeting of the Parliamentary Energy and Mineral Resources Committee, chaired by MP Haitham Ziyadin.

The session, attended by the ministers of energy and environment, focused on strategies for exploiting copper deposits in the Dana Biosphere Reserve in Tafileh Governorate.

MP Ziyadin underscored that the project could directly create approximately 800 jobs, in addition to hundreds of indirect opportunities, contributing to local economic growth and employment for Jordanian youth.

Minister of Environment Dr. Muawieh Radaideh affirmed the ministry’s constructive engagement with the project, noting an agreement to delineate exploration zones in accordance with environmental requirements.

He added that the reserve’s boundaries might be adjusted if the project proves economically viable.

Concluding the meeting, lawmakers emphasized the critical role of mineral resources and energy in achieving sustainable development and economic growth. They called for a balanced approach that harmonizes environmental protection with economic advancement, ensuring robust support for Jordan's energy and mining sectors.

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The Dana Biosphere Reserve, established in 1989, is Jordan's largest nature reserve, covering approximately 308 square kilometers in south-central Jordan.

In recent years, the Jordanian government has identified significant copper and manganese ore deposits within the reserve, estimating around 45 million tonnes of copper.

This discovery has led to plans for mining activities, including redrawing the reserve's boundaries to facilitate copper extraction.

The government emphasized the economic benefits of mining, including job creation and economic growth.