Taliban Pushes to Exploit Afghanistan’s Rich Mineral Resources amid Concerns
In eastern Afghanistan, a miner has uncovered a block of green jade, a symbol of the Taliban government’s plan to tap into the country’s valuable mineral resources. The Taliban is eager to attract both local and international investors to help mine Afghanistan’s vast underground wealth, which includes emeralds, rubies, gold, marble, and lithium. Experts estimate these resources could be worth a trillion dollars, according to assessments from the US and the United Nations. Despite decades of war that kept these resources untouched, the Taliban has already signed around 200 mining contracts, mainly with local companies, since returning to power in 2021. Humayoun Afghan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines, stated that Afghanistan wants to become self-sufficient but faces many challenges, including a lack of experts, infrastructure, and knowledge. He added that the government is eager to welcome investors, especially those with mining experience. However, there are concerns. Mining exploration is a lengthy process that may not bring immediate returns, and improper mining practices can cause environmental damage. Reports from the US Geological Survey show that the production of coal, talc, and chromite in Afghanistan sharply increased in 2021 and 2022, raising alarms about the sustainability and regulation of this boom in mining.