Gold mining transforms landscapes and livelihoods in Afghanistan

Gold mining activities are rapidly transforming the landscapes and livelihoods in northeastern Afghanistan. In the Xiwa mining area of Badakhshan province, approximately 10,000 miners are currently working to extract gold, copper, and emeralds.

The surge in mining has caused significant environmental degradation. Local residents, including long-time herders, report that rivers that were once deep and clear have become brown and polluted with sediment, making the water undrinkable and unsuitable for cleaning. Additionally, the dust from mining operations has negatively impacted agricultural productivity by hindering crop growth.

The Taliban government has prioritized the development of the mining sector to leverage the country's vast mineral wealth, which was estimated by the US and UN in 2013 to be worth billions of dollars. While these resources previously funded various armed groups during decades of conflict, the current administration is focusing on large-scale extraction.