Clashes between local residents and a mining company in Chah Ab district of the northeastern province of Takhar over a gold mining project have subsided for now, but residents say their key demands have yet to be addressed, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Residents said they protested over lack of basic services or employment opportunities linked to the gold mine.
“There are no services for the people in return for the gold being taken from our district,” said Jalaluddin, a resident of Chah Ab. “We want jobs for our youth, proper roads, electricity and a hospital.”
The gold mine covers an area of about 12 square kilometres and began extraction and processing around five months ago, according to information shared by local residents. They said the project is operated under a five-year contract valued at about $310 million by a Chinese-Afghan consortium, with estimated gold reserves of between 12 and 24 tonnes.
Another resident said basic administrative institutions were also lacking. “Our district court operates from a private building, and the prosecutor’s office is the same,” said Amir, a resident of Takhar province. “Without a proper development plan, it is impossible to build standard roads or services.”
Local sources previously told Amu TV that at least five protesters were killed and 16 wounded during the clashes. The Taliban-run Ministry of Interior has confirmed four deaths and five injuries.
Taliban have not publicly commented on residents’ demands or outlined any plans to provide services linked to the mining project.
