The Taliban’s directorate of mines and Petroleum in Nuristan says that precious and semi-precious stones from the province have been sold for more than AFN 122.5 million (approximately 122.5 million Afghanis) at an auction.
Sayed Rahim Omir, head of the Taliban’s Directorate of Mines and Petroleum in Nuristan, said the auction began three days ago in Doab district and concluded today (Wednesday, September 2).
Omir did not provide details about the total weight of the stones sold, but said that AFN 12.25 million in revenue from the sale had been deposited into the Taliban government’s treasury.
According to him, the stones sold included beryl, kunzite, crystal, and morganite, all of which were extracted from the Mawi mine in Doab district.
Since returning to power, the Taliban have expanded the extraction and trade of precious and semi-precious stones in several provinces of Afghanistan. Critics have described the move as the plundering of Afghanistan’s natural resources.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
