Local Taliban officials said they have identified a new deposit of semi-precious green garnet stone in the central province of Panjshir, marking the first reported discovery of the mineral in the area.
Mohammad Qasim Amiri, the Taliban’s head of mines and petroleum in Panjshir, said the deposit was located in Ab Dara village in Anaba district, according to a statement issued by the provincial mines department.
The statement said a licence to extract the green garnet had been granted to an individual identified as Sayed Rahim. No details were provided on the terms of the licence or the expected scale of production.
The announcement comes amid ongoing criticism from Afghan analysts and citizens who have accused the Taliban of favouring relatives and close associates in awarding mining and procurement contracts, raising concerns about transparency and monopolisation of natural resources. Taliban officials have previously denied such allegations.
Green garnet is a semi-precious stone ranging in colour from light green to emerald green. Chemically composed of calcium and aluminium silicate, it is mainly used in jewellery and ornamental products, as well as in some specialised industrial applications.
