Badakhshan mining revenue reaches 29m afs

FAIZABAD (PAN): The mining revenue of remote northeastern Badakhshan province increased to 29 million afghanis in 2013, an official said on Friday.

The income was fetched by the lapis lazuli mine in Karan Wa Manjan district and the granite mine in Baharak, Director of Mines Mohammad Akbar Anwari said.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News last year’s mining revenue of the province was 11 million afghanis. He linked the boost to an end to illegal mining in Badakhshan. 

Over the past 15 years, an Afghan company has been operating the lapis mine in the Sarsang area of Karan Wa Manjan.  

The director said the ministry concerned had surveyed 10 sites in Badakhshan, but contracts had been signed only for the lapis and granite mines. Bids have been called for some mines, including the emerald deposits in Ishkashim district.

A Turkish firm has been contracted to develop the gold mine in Raghestan district, according to the director, who estimated one tonne of stones contained 85 kilograms of gold.

“Signing of the contract will jack up government revenue on the one hand and generate employment opportunities for jobless youth on the other,” Anwari hoped.

There are 16 mines across Badakhshan, which shares borders with China, Pakistan and Tajikistan. Currently, 3,500 people are working at these sites.

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