Illegal extraction and smuggling mineral resources of Afghanistan have been long-standing issues. On Sunday the Integrity Watch Afghanistan (IWA), a corruption watchdog, uncovered a disappointing story of illegal extraction of chromites. It said that a commander of the Afghan Local Police (ALP) illegally run chromites extraction operation for over a year in Khas district of Kunar province. ALP is tasked to defend against insurgents but its involvement in robbing the mineral resources of this poor country is shameful.
The transparency advocacy group (IWA) in its report further added that the ALP commander was supported by Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO), by providing equipment. Now, it has become clearer that criminal groups are benefiting from Afghan mineral resources while no benefit reaches the common Afghans. If IWA had not reported this, it is not clear when the Afghan government would notice.
Unprofessional extraction of minerals and their smuggling to other countries is a great national loss. It is the responsibility of Ministries of Mines and Interior to protect the location where the natural deposits exist. Unfortunately, so far there is no such activity that is aimed at preventing illegal extraction and smuggling of the natural resources of Afghanistan. There have also been reports about illegal extractions from azurite mine in Badakhshan province of Afghanistan.
Illegal extraction of mineral resources take place at times when experts maintain and emphasize that extraction industry can serve as pillars on which a strong economy can be built. Studies have estimated the worth of Afghan minerals in several trillion dollars. This has changed the traditional view about Afghan economy which was majorly based on agriculture.
Insecure and troubled highways and absence of rail routes are the greatest challenges facing the extraction of mineral resources of Afghanistan. Apart from the security concerns hindering development of the mining sector, unprofessional extraction of minerals and their smuggling to other countries have been major issues that need serious attention from the government. Reportedly, the Afghan government is losing millions of dollars each year because of not being able to prevent illegal transfer of precious stones to our neighboring countries.
Afghanistan’s mineral resources are the future of hope for Afghanistan and can bring this country out of the severe economic troubles it is facing today. It is therefore necessary that not only strict security should be considered for these resources but also they should be extracted in a proper, transparent and effective manner.