In a significant development, the commencement of emerald extraction from mines situated in Panjshir province has been officially announced by the provincial government on Tuesday.
During an official ceremony graced by governmental dignitaries, tribal leaders, and religious scholars, Mohammad Qasim Amiri, the provincial head overseeing mines and petroleum, disclosed that emeralds are located at elevations reaching up to 4,000 meters above sea level, necessitating miners to ascend on foot and employ essential equipment to extract the precious gemstones.
The local populace has expressed warm approval of this initiative, foreseeing an upswing in employment opportunities resulting from the mining endeavors.
Notably, the Panjshir emerald, hitherto subject to illicit extraction due to prolonged conflict and instability, has garnered significant favor within the international business realm, attributed to its exceptional quality and substantial value.
Meanwhile, Hafiz Mohammad Aga Hakim, the provincial governor, conveyed his commitment during the ceremony to enhance the livelihoods of the populace through such initiatives, accentuating the intention of the Taliban authorities to bolster infrastructure and welfare.
Afghanistan boasts an array of abundant mineral resources, encompassing approximately 1,400 mineral fields that house a variety of elements including barite, chromite, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, natural gas, petroleum, as well as precious and semi-precious stones, salt, sulphur, lithium, talc, and zinc. The country’s mineral wealth extends to exceptional gemstones such as high-grade rubies, lapis lazuli, red garnet, and emeralds.
In the present context, the de facto governing entities have entered into agreements with both domestic and international corporations to facilitate the extraction of various resources, encompassing coal, iron, and invaluable minerals.
