RASC News Agency: The Taliban’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced that the group will hold its inaugural emerald exhibition in Panjshir province. On Monday, June 24, the Ministry issued a statement on X, revealing that the exhibition will commence on July 10 and continue until July 12. The Taliban’s statement outlines that the exhibition aims to expand Afghanistan’s mining sector and boost exports of precious and semi-precious stones.
Last summer, the Taliban initiated emerald mining operations in Hesa Awal district of Panjshir province. At that time, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum issued licenses to 200 emerald miners. The Taliban have reported that 750 emerald mines have been registered in Panjshir, with 500 currently active. They have frequently announced the sale of emeralds extracted from these mines.
Since the Taliban took control of the country, foreign aid has dwindled, prompting the group to invest in mining and precious stones as a sustainable source of revenue. Nearly three years after the Taliban’s takeover, no country has recognized the group, and their mining activities have sparked widespread reactions.
