Mines unprofessionally dug in Nuristan geological zone

PARON (Pajhwok): Geologists and miners say mines in the geological zone of eastern Nuristan province are being dug unprofessionally, causing different problems.

The zone encompasses some mines of Kunar, Nuristan and Nangarhar provinces. These mines are being dug in an unprofessional manner and as a result most part of the minerals is lost and this causes losses to the government and the people.

Nuristan Department of Mines officials say common people dig mines in many areas of the province and they are given six part based on the current system. These miners submit legal revenue to the government under the framework of the Ministry of Mines and can commit no violation.

Geologist Engineer Taseerullah said the Nuristan geological zone was one of the six important zones of the country based on geology and had sufficient reserves of  tourmaline, plates and lithium, but unfortunately these minerals were extracted informally.

He believed if the minerals were extracted professionally, it would help increase the governament’s revenues.

Engineer Taseerullah said minerals were damaged when excavated in non-technical way and caused damage to the miners, environment, water surface and plants and even caused various diseases.

Miner Mohammad Omar, who has been associated with precious stone mining in Chapa Dara district for almost 15 years, he was suffering from lung disease caused by unprofessional mining.

Hazrat Mohammad Hazrati, a doctor in Nanglam area of Kunar province, said 99 percent of miners die of lung diseases.

In addition to lung disease, he said, 80 percent miners suffered from stomach disease and many of his clients faced these problems.

Dr. Hazrati said unprofessional mining was dangerous as it took the lives of many people and sometimes seriously injured people were brought to his clinic.

He said people who had worked in the mines for more than 10 years must have been affected by these diseases.

Nuristan Department of Mines officials confirmed  mines were dug by common people and councils in many areas of the province, who received only the sixth part based on the current system.

They say the miners submit legal revenues to the government under the Ministry of Mines and cannot commit any kind of violation.

They add they are trying with the relevant ministry to advance according to a known procedure.

Maulvi Said Rahim Omair, director of mines of Nuristan province, told Pajhwok that the ministry had sent the mining procedure the Islamic Emirate’s leadership and after its approval mines would be dug professionally.

Nuristan has precious and semi-precious stones’ mines in many areas, but geologists are concerned about their unprofessional excavation, which they say damages the entire environment.

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