RASC News Agency: Green Trend reports that Chinese companies have suspended operations at the Semti gold mine in Chah Ab District, Takhar Province, following the killing of an employee. According to the report, the Taliban had been illicitly exploiting the mine’s resources, diverting its revenues to fund their operations and enrich their allies. The organization states that the Chinese firm operating under the name “Afghan-China” had been illegally extracting gold in Semti. However, following the killing of an employee identified as “Li”, the company ceased all activities.
As per Green Trend’s findings, in addition to Chinese stakeholders, the operation involved: Haji Bashar Noorzai, a notorious drug trafficker from Kandahar and a major Taliban financier. A Turkmen businessman from Faryab, representing a stakeholder named Dr. Meysam Ahmadi.
Revenue distribution from the gold extraction was as follows: 56% allocated to the Taliban. 44% distributed among the three private stakeholders. The report further states that key Taliban officials in Takhar and Kunduz were profiting from the plunder of the mine, including: Haji Agha Kandahari, the Taliban-appointed governor of Takhar. Takhar’s Taliban police chief. Amanuddin, the Taliban’s regional military commander in Kunduz.
Prior to the suspension, the company employed approximately 400 to 500 full-time workers. Green Trend notes that the Chinese firm had constructed 90 rooms at the mining site. Furthermore, 60 personnel from the Taliban’s Public Protection Directorate, under the Ministry of Interior, were assigned to secure the company’s operations. Additionally: The Semti Border Battalion, commanded by Qari Mubashir from Kunar, comprised approximately 500 fighters to maintain control over the site.
