Sale of Nuristan’s Precious Stones Valued at Over 42 Million Afghanis and the Need for Industry Development

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum announced that in a transparent bidding process, kunzite and beryl gemstones from the Mawi mine in Duab district of Nuristan province were sold for over 42,814,500 Afghanis. Of this amount, more than 4,281,000 Afghanis has been allocated as the Islamic Emirate’s share to the national treasury.

This event highlights Afghanistan’s significant mineral wealth, particularly its precious and semi-precious stones, which are globally renowned for their high quality. However, economic experts emphasize the need for improved extraction, processing, and packaging methods to maintain their value in international markets. Qutbuddin Yaqoobi, an economic analyst, told Tolo News: “The global market expects these stones to be extracted, processed, and packaged professionally. Without adhering to these standards, demand for such stones will decline.”

Ahmad Ferdaws Behgozin, another economic expert, stressed the importance of establishing supportive regulations and strict oversight to prevent illegal mining and smuggling. He stated: “Creating laws to improve the extraction of Afghanistan’s mineral stones and implementing rigorous monitoring to curb illegal extraction and smuggling are essential for transforming this sector.”

In recent years, foreign investors have shown growing interest in Afghanistan’s precious stone sector, presenting an opportunity to attract investment and develop the industry’s infrastructure. Experts suggest that the government should establish industrial parks equipped with modern processing technologies and provide training for skilled labor to enhance the competitiveness of these products in global markets.

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has also announced plans to improve extraction infrastructure and combat the smuggling of mineral resources. It is expected that with the development of this industry, not only will government revenues increase, but new job opportunities will also be created for local communities.

These developments could mark a turning point in the sustainable exploitation of Afghanistan’s natural resources, provided challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, illegal mining, and smuggling are addressed.