Mining Ministry Says Mafia Influence on Afghan Mines Has Been Curtailed
Officials from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum stated on Saturday (September 21) during a presentation of their one-year performance report that the ministry has successfully curtailed the influence of mafia rings on Afghanistan’s gold mines.
Hessamuddin Saberi, the Deputy Minister of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, pointed out the presence of mafia groups in the country’s mines and said that the ministry has made significant achievements in combating them.
According to officials, in the solar year 1402, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum earned over 10.4 billion afghani in revenue, and, since the start of 1403, it has earned more than 4.4 billion afghani.
Saberi emphasized that the Islamic Emirate is seriously protecting the mines, stating: “With each passing day, the mafia groups in this sector are being eradicated. It is hoped that they will soon be fully controlled; it may not be 100% under control yet, and to say so would be far from reality, but we have addressed the issue.”
He further added: “The mafia rings in this sector are gradually being eliminated, and it is hoped that soon the mines will be completely controlled. If I say 100%, it might be unrealistic, but thank God, we have now addressed the issue, and these mafia groups will no longer have control over Afghanistan’s mines.”
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum emphasized that over the past year, the ministry has made significant achievements in the exploration and extraction of mines in the country.
Homayoun Afghan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, said: “In 1402, the ministry collected a total revenue of 10.479 billion afghani.”
Afghan also highlighted the importance of processing various mineral resources in Afghanistan and said that over the past year, the Ministry of Mines has issued 52 processing licenses for mineral companies.
The spokesperson further stated: “To encourage investment in mineral resources, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has provided the necessary facilities and has issued processing licenses to 52 companies, including those dealing with chromite, talc, gypsum, marble, gravel, and sand.”
According to statistics from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, the ministry has surveyed 647 mining sites, and currently, 544 mines are under exploration and extraction, employing 150,000 people directly and indirectly.
