PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): About 35 new mines of precious stones have been discovered in central Logar province, the Department of Mines and Petroleum said on Thursday.
Maulvi Ahmadullah Forqani, Director of the Logar Mines and Petroleum Department, told Pajhwok Afghan News that surveys and documentation for the newly identified mines have been completed and submitted to the Ministry of Mines for formal approval.
He said extraction work is currently underway at five precious stone mines in the province, which have generated 7 million afghanis in revenue over the past five months.
Forqani added that the mining sector in Logar has created employment opportunities for approximately 1,000 individuals.
The director also emphasized that illegal mining in Logar has been reduced to zero, and no unauthorized extraction activities are allowed.
Logar is considered one of Afghanistan’s most mineral-rich provinces, home to dozens of precious stone mines, as well as the notable Aynak copper deposit.
Experts believe that if these resources are extracted legally and efficiently, they could significantly boost Afghanistan’s economy and contribute to long-term self-reliance.
ks/sa
