The Afghan government and a Chinese state company have signed a deal for the exploration of a copper deposit believed to be one of the largest in the world.

Mines minister Ibrahim Adel signed the multi-billion dollar agreement with representatives of China's Metallurgical Group Corporation.

Afghanistan selected the Chinese company from nine international bidders in November.

The Aynak mine exploration, east of Kabul, is expected to create about 2,500 jobs and indirectly create 6,000 more.