KABUL - A new study has found that the illegal extraction of about 10 types of precious and semi-precious stones still continues in eight provinces in Afghanistan.
These stones are smuggled first to Pakistan and then they are sent on to international markets.
According to the report by a reputable organization that asked not to be named, lapis lazuli is mined illegally in Kiran Manjan district in Badakhshan and then it is smuggled to Pakistan.
Emeralds are extracted in Panshjir province and then smuggled abroad.
Rubies are illegally mined in Surobi district in Kabul and smuggled out of the country – mainly to Pakistan.
Agate is extracted from Helmand while Jade is extracted in Kunar and Nangarhar and sent to Pakistan, but Chinese companies are their main customers.
Marble is mined in Nangarhar and Helmand provinces and sold mostly in Pakistan.
Nangarhar officials confirmed the smuggling of a number of types of stone through and from the province, saying that they will try to prevent this practice.
"We have always stopped those who have tried to do illegal mining. We have arrested and imprisoned those who have committed smuggling of precious stones," said Nangarhar governor Attaullah Khogyani.
"The lapis lazuli mine in Kiran Manjan is out of government's control and unfortunately still ongoing (problem) same as in the past," said Abdullah Naji Nazari, member of Badakhshan provincial council.
Meanwhile, analysts said they believe that government does not have a serious will to prevent illegal mining and that it will put the future of the mining industry in danger.
"The mines minister has resigned a few months ago but still the National Unity Government has not been able to appoint a minister for this key ministry," said Mohammadullah Haidari, political commentator.
"Unfortunately, government has not taken illegal mining as a serious matter, therefore the efforts that they make to stop this illegal practice are not good enough and have not yielded any results," said Ibrahim Jafari, member of natural resources' monitoring network.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum would not comment on the report.
The Ministry of Mines' spokesman previously said that preventing illegal mining is the duty of the Interior Ministry. However, the Ministry of Interior on Sunday said that it has ordered all police force members to stop illegal mining across the country.(Tolonews)