Green granite mine extraction begins in Khost province

Extraction operations have started at a green granite stone mine in the Hisarak area of Tanio district in Khost province.

The mine was handed over to local people for two years under the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's new procedure. Ninety percent of revenues will go to residents and ten percent to the state budget. Extraction will use manual methods over about two jeribs and is expected to create local jobs.

Maulvi Sadiq Jan Hamza, head of mines and petroleum for Khost, said eighteen mines including chromite and construction materials are currently operating in the province and employ hundreds of people. Local residents welcomed the project for improving economic conditions and preventing illegal mining.