Taliban Ministry of Mines Awards Contracts for Mineral Extraction in Bamyan

The Taliban Ministry of Mines has signed contracts with more than ten private companies for the extraction of lead, zinc, iron, travertine and other minerals in Bamyan province. The companies include Afghan German, Al-Haramein, Gamma Eagle, Kandahar Khogyani and Musa Sultan, which received rights to five lead and zinc mines in Yakawlang district under deals valued at about one billion afghanis over five years.

An iron mine in the Siyah Dara area of Yakawlang was assigned to Mellat Steel and Khan Waziri companies with the approval of Abdul Ghani Baradar. Ministry documents show that at least 32 mineral areas were registered in Bamyan in 1401, and extraction using heavy machinery is underway in districts including Shebar, Saighan, Kohmard, Panjab and Waras.

Several contracts require the companies to carry out infrastructure projects outside Bamyan, such as roads in Uruzgan, a railway in Herat or a hospital in Maidan Wardak, while up to half of revenues are directed to the Taliban. Residents have reported that non-standard operations by firms including Balkh Sedaghat have caused environmental damage and raised avalanche risks near villages in Yakawlang.

Local complaints have been submitted to Taliban authorities. Governor Gul Haidar Shafaq has visited extraction sites in the Ganda Kotal and Kotal Bidak areas.