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Jordan's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Amman-based Arab Mining Company (ARMICO) signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) to excavate lithium in Feynan area in Wadi Araba and gold in the Jabal Mubarak area in Aqaba governorate.
ARMICO will explore gold in an area of 50 square kilometres (sq km) in the Jabal Mubarak and explore lithium in 35 sq km in Feynan area, Jordan News Agency reported, citing Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh.
The exploration will continue for one year, the report said.
The ministry prioritises the mining sector, which offers a high industrial value in the economic modernisation vision, Kharabsheh said, adding the sector will contribute to achieving sustainable development.
Earlier, the ministry signed seven memoranda of understanding with local and international companies to study the economic feasibility of exploring rare earth elements, including gold and copper ores.
The report said that these studies are likely to be submitted by the middle of next year.
(Writing by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon)
