KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban-led Ministry of Industry and Commerce reported that more than 650,000 tons of coal have been exported to various countries over the past eight months, generating revenues exceeding $65.6 million.
Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, a Taliban spokesperson for the ministry, told Taliban-controlled state radio that the coal was exported to Pakistan, China, Iran, Turkey, and India.
“During the first eight months of 1403 [the Afghan calendar year], the country exported approximately 654,000 tons of coal worth more than $65.6 million,” he said.
Coal exports, along with heavy taxes on mining, constitute a significant portion of the Taliban’s revenue streams. However, questions about transparency in how these funds are managed and allocated have fueled criticism among Afghan citizens and international observers.
The Taliban have yet to provide detailed, transparent accounts of how mining revenues are spent or how they fit into the group’s broader annual budget. This lack of disclosure has raised concerns over potential mismanagement and corruption, as well as skepticism about whether the revenues are being used to address the country’s economic and humanitarian challenges.
Afghanistan’s mining sector has long been a point of contention, with critics arguing that its vast resources often benefit elites or armed groups rather than the public. The absence of a clear financial framework under Taliban governance has only deepened worries among Afghan citizens and global organizations about the equitable distribution of the country’s wealth.
