Residents of Kunar Rush to Gold Panning Amid Job Shortages
Due to the ongoing lack of employment opportunities in Kunar province, hundreds of residents have turned to searching for gold particles in riverbeds and mountainous areas to support their families. Using basic tools, these individuals work along the Kunar River and regions near the Pakistan border; a strenuous activity that remains the sole source of income for many.
According to a report by Agence France-Presse, local workers dig into dried riverbeds and wash gravel and pebbles to separate tiny gold particles. Others transport soil from mountain slopes and sift through it in search of gold. They say that after hours of labor, sometimes the yield is as small as a particle even tinier than a grain of wheat.
Local officials stated that this practice has been ongoing for years in Kunar, with thousands traditionally engaged in this sector. However, concerns have been raised about the use of heavy machinery and its potential environmental consequences.
Located in eastern Afghanistan and bordering Pakistan, Kunar is among the provinces where residents face limited economic opportunities. Although the country’s natural resources have always been cited as a significant economic asset, the lack of transparent planning and the failure to create sustainable jobs under Taliban governance have compelled some citizens to resort to primitive and labor-intensive methods such as gold panning in rivers. This situation calls for responsible management and practical support for the local workforce.
