Taliban Commander Continues Gold Mining in Badakhshan Despite Ban
Despite the Taliban administration’s prior order to halt all gold mining activities across Badakhshan, local sources in Darwaz districts report that Jumah Khan Fateh, the local Taliban commander, continues to extract gold in areas under his control. According to sources, no measures have yet been taken to stop his activities.
Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, had earlier announced that mining activities in Badakhshan were suspended for a review of extraction regulations, and no individual or company was authorized to continue operations. However, sources insist that individuals affiliated with Jumah Khan Fateh are extensively engaged in gold mining in the Nusay district.
The Taliban administration cited the lack of official licenses as one of the reasons for halting the work of local companies. Sources state that companies and individuals linked to this commander also lack work permits, yet their operations have not been stopped—an issue that has drawn criticism among local residents.
Mining operations in Darwaz were halted for the second time following clashes between workers of the Maymik mine and Abdul Mateen, the Taliban mining director in Shaki district. Subsequently, the Taliban’s security command in Shaki requested miners to vacate the Qatqati mine and remove their equipment within a week.
Before Eid al-Adha, under the orders of Esmaeili Ghaznavi, the Taliban governor of Badakhshan, gold mining in Darwaz was suspended, and several individuals connected to Jumah Khan Fateh were arrested. This restriction lasted about three weeks, but tensions over the management and allocation of mines have persisted.
The Qatqati mine, one of the largest gold mines in Shaki district, has become a major center of conflict between the Taliban administration and local communities over the past two months. A representative of one active company at this mine stated that hundreds of people, working under difficult conditions to support their families, lost their jobs due to the suspension of activities, and their investments were destroyed.
Another source revealed that the Taliban intelligence unit has assigned a team to conduct a technical review of the Qatqati mine, and it is possible that extraction may be handed over to large, Taliban-approved companies. In the Shiwa area, sources say only companies affiliated with the Taliban are permitted to operate, while local companies have been barred from working.
In recent days, several local business owners have gathered in front of the Badakhshan Taliban mining administration, demanding a resolution to the issue. However, local officials have stated that a delegation must be sent to Kabul to address the matter. Meanwhile, according to the companies, with the approach of the winter season, the window for mining activities in some areas, including Shiwa, is closing.
