KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban on Monday announced the sale of tourmaline from Nuristan Province for 8 million Afghanis (approximately $113,000) through a public auction, according to the Taliban-run Bakhtar News Agency.
The auction, held in the Parun city of Nuristan, took place with the oversight of a designated committee, Taliban officials said on Monday.
Tourmaline, known locally as biroj, is a semi-precious gemstone valued for its use in traditional medicine and jewelry-making. Historically, it has been believed to aid in relaxation and focus, and it remains popular in the gemstone trade.
Mining as an economic priority
The sale comes as the Taliban ramps up efforts to exploit Afghanistan’s vast mineral wealth. In November, the Taliban announced the launch of operations to extract 21 major mines across the country, with an estimated value of 415 billion Afghanis (approximately $5.8 billion).
The mines, which include deposits of gold, iron, rubies, chromite, lead, cement, and coal, are located in provinces such as Ghor, Herat, Kabul, Takhar, Baghlan, Parwan, Panjshir, Badakhshan, and Kandahar.
Taliban officials have stated that developing Afghanistan’s mining sector is a key priority for their administration, emphasizing the importance of “standardized investment in mining” to bolster the country’s struggling economy.
The extraction and sale of Afghanistan’s natural resources have drawn criticism from experts, who warn of potential exploitation, lack of oversight, and limited benefits for local communities.
