Taliban Administration Signs 30-Year Contract for Coal Mining in Pul-e-Khumri

The Taliban’s Economic Administration of the Council of Ministers has announced the signing of a contract for the extraction and exploration of coal in five mines located in Pul-e-Khumri district, Baghlan province. This agreement is set for a duration of 30 years and covers an area of 111 square kilometers. According to the administration, the estimated reserves of these mines are about 69.4 million tons, and the project is expected to generate approximately 60 million dollars annually in revenue for the Taliban government. Despite claims of economic benefits for energy production, industrial growth, and job creation, concerns remain over the transparency of the deal and the management of natural resources under Taliban control. Previously, the Taliban administration has faced repeated criticism over economic policies and poor management of Afghanistan’s mines, which has negatively affected employment opportunities and sustainable development for the population.