Gold Mining Continues in Badakhshan Despite Road Deterioration
Gold mining in Badakhshan province is ongoing under the Taliban administration using heavy machinery, dredging equipment, and mechanical shovels. However, locals say that the district roads remain damaged and substandard.
Several residents of the province report that the Taliban administration has paid no attention to infrastructure improvement or road reconstruction despite extensive gold extraction. They emphasize that the poor road conditions have seriously hindered people’s mobility and the transport of goods, calling for urgent intervention.
Previously, officials from the Taliban’s Directorate of Mines and Petroleum in Badakhshan announced that in the year 1404 (2025-2026), mining licenses for 368 companies to extract gold using the “panenag” method were issued. According to them, approximately 65 million Afghanis in revenue and 112 kilograms of gold as “khums” were collected that year.
The Directorate also stated that gold extraction continues uninterrupted in the districts of Shahr-e Bozorg, Yawan, Kohistan, Raghistan, Khawahan, and Arghanj Khwah. However, residents of these areas say that no part of the mining revenue has been allocated to improve roads and public services, and they demand greater accountability and transparency on this matter.
