The Panjshir Provincial Media Office said in a statement that the expansion of precious stone mining, particularly emerald extraction, has created direct and indirect employment opportunities for approximately 15,000 people, the majority of whom are young.
According to the statement, citing local officials, nearly 1,000 young people are currently engaged in the buying and selling of emeralds, generating income through auctions held in Kabul and international markets. It added that surveys have been completed for 16 types of mineral resources in Panjshir, and the extraction of emeralds, beryl, and other precious minerals is currently underway.
These remarks were made during a meeting of the Panjshir Mining Protection Committee. The Governor of Panjshir, Hafiz Mohammad Agha Hakim, emphasized the importance of legal and transparent mining operations, stating that revenues from the province’s mines play a significant role in strengthening the local economy, promoting household self-sufficiency, and expanding employment opportunities. He described the protection of the mines as a national responsibility and called for all mining activities to be conducted in accordance with the law.
The Director of the Panjshir Directorate of Mines and Petroleum, Mawlawi Mohammad Qasim Amiri, also described the mining process over the past three years as legal and transparent. Emerald traders and auction participants likewise said that the transparency of the auctions has been a key factor in encouraging investment and increasing confidence in international markets.