The Taliban’s Department of Mines and Petroleum in Nuristan has sold gemstones and semi-precious stones extracted from the mines of Duab district in the province, valued at 52,620,000 Afghanis.
Sayed Rahim Ameer, head of the Taliban’s Department of Mines and Petroleum in Nuristan, said that this amount of minerals was sold today (Saturday, 26th of Sawr) in a “free bidding” process among domestic and foreign traders in Duab district.
He added that the stones included beryl, kunzite, and magnetite, which were extracted from the “Mawi” mine in Duab district.
Although he did not specify the total weight of these stones, he said that 5,226,000 Afghanis from the sale proceeds were deposited into the Taliban treasury.
The Taliban collect 10 percent of the revenue from the sale of gemstones and semi-precious stones as tax from the extraction companies.
Since regaining control over Afghanistan, the Taliban have accelerated the extraction of gemstones and semi-precious stones, as well as their buying and selling, across various parts of the country.
However, Taliban opponents have called these actions a “plunder of mines” and have repeatedly warned that governments and international companies should not participate in opaque contracts with the Taliban.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
