The New York Times (NYT), in a report, has stated that the interim government of Afghanistan, following a sharp decline in international aid and the ban on poppy cultivation, has turned to the country's mineral resources and precious stones.

The report notes that the interim government now generates revenue through weekly emerald auctions in Panjshir province.

However, challenges such as weak infrastructure and a lack of skilled labor persist.

According to the report, since the Islamic Emirate's return to power in 2021, it has launched extensive plans for the extraction of Afghanistan's natural resources, including emeralds, rubies, gold, copper, and other rare minerals.

The NYT added: “The US government estimates that at least $1 trillion in mineral deposits lie beneath Afghanistan’s rugged landscape. The country is rich in copper, gold, zinc, chromite, cobalt, lithium, and industrial minerals, as well as in precious and semiprecious gemstones like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, garnets, and lapis lazuli. Such elements are used in an array of modern technology, like mobile phones, laptops, and electric vehicles.”

"Mining plays a crucial role in the country's economic development. It acts as a primary driver of employment, raises the national gross domestic product, and creates investment opportunities in the mining sector, which can serve as a foundation for long-term economic growth, increase national income, and transition Afghanistan from dependency to self-sufficiency,” said Abdul Rahman Habib, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy.

Panjshir province, with its rich emerald reserves, is one of the most significant regions for implementing these plans.

The NYT noted that the interim government imposes a 10% tax on emerald auctions held weekly, controlling sales and allowing both domestic and foreign investors to participate in this industry.

"Afghanistan's mines are the nation's assets and must be protected properly. Especially in mining, it is essential to ensure standardized and proper extraction and processing, which can lead to sustainable economic growth and stability,” said Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, Deputy Head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines.

Inactive mines, infrastructure challenges, the lack of skilled labor, the shortage of engineers, and specialists remain significant obstacles to Afghanistan's mining sector. However, officials of the Islamic Emirate have emphasized the need for foreign experts' collaboration and training domestic forces to advance the mining sector.

"Instead of outsourcing our mines to other countries, allowing them to process the minerals abroad and sell the finished products back to us at high prices, it is better for us to process these resources within Afghanistan,” said Zabihullah Aslami, an economic expert.