Residents of Darwaz Protest Ban on Badakhshan Mine Extraction
A group of residents from Darwaz district in Badakhshan province held a protest rally on Sunday, June 7, in Nesa district, demanding the resumption of local miners’ activities. The protesters called on Hibatullah Akhundzada, leader of the Taliban administration, not to obstruct the work of local extractors. They warned that continued restrictions could lead to widespread dissatisfaction and even a “popular uprising.” According to local sources, individuals close to Juma Khan Fath, one of the Taliban commanders in Badakhshan, were among the main organizers of this gathering. The Taliban administration has not yet issued an official response to these protests. These protests come as Taliban authorities in recent weeks have halted the operations of gold mining companies and groups in Badakhshan and Takhar provinces. They cited preventing illegal extraction and unauthorized company activities as reasons for this action. However, reports indicate that some mines previously controlled by local Taliban commanders or their affiliates have also been stopped. One of the speakers at the Darwaz gathering accused certain Taliban officials of using “official position and uniform” to hinder the work of local miners. Taliban governors in Takhar and Badakhshan have also confirmed the suspension of unlicensed companies’ operations in parts of these two provinces. Abdul Mateen Rahimzy, the newly appointed head of the Taliban’s Badakhshan mining department, announced at a meeting in a mosque in Shaki district that from now on, no individual or group will be allowed to conduct unauthorized extraction. He also warned local armed individuals that any interference in mining affairs would face “severe punishment.” Rahimzy acknowledged that irresponsible armed individuals have “seized” some mines in several districts of Badakhshan, emphasizing that this situation is no longer tolerable. He added that any misuse of official powers would be met with serious measures, a stance that has caused concerns among residents regarding transparency and the management of mines by the Taliban administration.
