A surge in tariffs has added $80 to each ton of Afghanistan’s coal exported to Pakistan, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said.

A spokesman of the ministry, Esmatullah Burhan, said each ton is sold for $200 and with new tariffs, importers will need to pay $280.

The business community said that a delegation from Pakistan is expected to visit Kabul Sunday to discuss the import of coal with Afghan officials.

“Issues facing trade between the two countries and opportunities and challenges will be discussed (between Afghan and Pakistani delegations),” said Naqibullah Safai, head of the Joint Chamber of Commerce.

Figures by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment show that at least 10,000 tons of coal are sent to Pakistan daily. 

“The sectorial team from Afghanistan is in talks with the sectorial team of Pakistan. We will focus is that trading will not be done in Pakistani rupees; it should be either Afghani and Pakistani rupees or the dollar,” said Nooruddin Azizi, the acting minister of industry and commerce.

Figures by the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum show that Afghanistan has at least 80 coal mines and only 17 of them are under extraction.