KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban is illegally extracting talc and other minerals from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province and smuggling them into Pakistan, according to local sources.
A source from Spin Ghar district told KabulNow that the Taliban commanders are carrying out unprofessional and illegal mining operations in many areas. The extracted minerals, mainly talc, are sold on-site to Pakistani traders at about 500 Pakistani rupees ($2) per kilogram, before being transported to Pakistan with the help of Taliban officials.
The source further revealed that most contractors involved in the mining operations are Pakistani, with work continuing around the clock.
In neighboring Sherzad district, sources say illegal mining has increased significantly since the suspension of U.S. financial aid. Taliban commanders are accused of extracting both talc and gypsum and selling them at discounted prices.
The source said that a Taliban-appointed group now controls access to the mines in the region. No one is allowed to mine or trade minerals without their approval — and without paying a commission.
Another source from Goshta district also said that the Taliban has escalated mining activities, with Pakistani traders purchasing the minerals at low prices and receiving documentation to cross the Torkham border.
A local talc trader also confirmed that the lack of a clear regulatory framework has contributed to the rise in illegal mining in Nangarhar.
Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban has ramped up the exploitation of Afghanistan’s vast, largely untapped mineral resources. Much of the activity is being conducted in secret or through unofficial deals.
In recent years, the group has awarded some of the country’s largest mining contracts to Chinese companies. Critics say the Taliban are “looting” Afghanistan’s mineral wealth and describe the contracts as “illegal” due to the group’s lack of international recognition
