Taliban Official Meets Russian Investors on Afghanistan’s Mining Sector

Abdul Rahman Qanat, Deputy Minister for Policy and Programs at the Taliban-run Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, met with a group of Russian investors on September 21, 2025, to discuss potential investments in Afghanistan’s mineral resources.

According to a statement from the ministry, representatives of a Russian company expressed satisfaction with what they described as “nationwide security” and voiced readiness to invest in the exploration, extraction, and processing of Afghanistan’s mines. The company showed particular interest in lead and antimony deposits.

The Taliban official welcomed the interest and pledged cooperation “in accordance with the mining law and regulations.” However, it remains unclear under what oversight, legal guarantees, or independent monitoring such projects would take place.

Four years into Taliban rule, concerns persist about transparency and accountability in large-scale economic ventures. Human rights organizations and many governments still do not recognize the Taliban’s domestic or international legitimacy, raising fears that Afghanistan’s natural resources could be exploited through opaque deals rather than benefiting the Afghan people.