Authorities in Afghanistan’s Panjshir province have issued mining licences to 300 companies for emerald extraction as the Taliban seek to attract investment into the country’s mineral resources.
Emerald is a precious green gemstone, a variety of the mineral beryl, valued for its colour, rarity and beauty. It is mainly used in jewellery such as rings, necklaces and earrings, as well as luxury ornaments, collectibles and investment.
The Taliban-appointed governor of Panjshir said traders from Central Asia, Europe and Africa had visited the province and pledged to invest in its mining sector, according to information released by the provincial governor’s office.
The governor said the prospective investors had been encouraged to ensure that emeralds extracted in Panjshir were marketed as Afghan products rather than being sold under the names of other countries.
Mining officials in Khinj district said the process of obtaining emerald mining licences had been simplified, with fees reduced by 70%.
They said the cost of a licence had been reduced from 90,000 Afghanis to 25,000 Afghanis, a move they believe would encourage more applications and accelerate mining operations.
The officials also claimed that hundreds of people had invested in Panjshir’s emerald mines, creating employment opportunities for thousands of others. These figures could not be independently verified.
The development comes amid concerns about transparency and alleged corruption in the awarding of mining contracts under Taliban rule.
A report by research group Afghan Witness said the Taliban had signed at least 205 mining contracts with more than 150 companies between August 2021 and February 2024.
The report also found that the Taliban’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum had stakes in at least nine mining projects.
A United Nations sanctions monitoring report has separately raised concerns about alleged corruption involving senior Taliban officials and the allocation of lucrative contracts linked to Afghanistan’s natural resources.
The Taliban authorities have maintained that mining operations across the country, including in Panjshir, are being conducted transparently.
The group has sought to expand mining activities and attract foreign investment as Afghanistan continues to face economic challenges and limited international engagement.
