The Hidden Mines Of Afghanistan: A Deadly Legacy

Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. The country has suffered from war since 1978, with all sides to the various armed conflicts using anti-personnel mines. In spite of eight years of intensive mine clearance, only 146 square kilometres of mined areas have been cleared, with 713 square kilometres remaining.

Landmines are a major obstacle to repatriation, relief, rehabilitation, and development activities. They have been planted indiscriminately over most of the country, including agricultural farms, grazing areas, irrigation canals, residential areas, roads, and footpaths, in both urban and rural areas. Mines kill or maim an estimated ten to twelve people each day in Afghanistan, with almost 50% of landmine victims dying due to a lack of medical facilities.

Afghanistan has vast mineral deposits, including coal, copper, iron ore, talc, lithium, uranium, gold, precious stones, oil, and gas. The country's mineral resources could make it one of the richest mining regions in the world, with an estimated US$1 trillion of untapped minerals.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2015 has raised concerns about the future of the country's natural resources and the potential impact on the war-ravaged economy.

The Taliban's stance on mining

Afghanistan has been a mineral-rich country since ancient times, with gold, silver, and precious stones routinely mined over 2,000 years ago. The country has over 1,400 mineral fields, containing barite, chromite, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, natural gas, petroleum, precious and semi-precious stones, salt, sulfur, lithium, talc, and zinc, among many other minerals.

However, in recent years, the Taliban has sought to maximize its earnings from mineral resources. The group controls most of the country's mineral wealth and has been issuing mining licenses, arranging labor, and controlling haulage from the mines and access to roads. The Taliban is earning about $400 million per year from mining, which is a significant source of revenue for the group.

The Taliban has also been courting foreign investment in the mining sector to revitalize the Afghan economy. In 2023, the Taliban signed over $6.5 billion worth of mining contracts with local and foreign companies from China, Iran, Turkey, and the UK. These contracts cover the extraction and processing of gold, copper, iron, lead, and zinc in four Afghan provinces.

Despite the Taliban's efforts to monetize Afghanistan's mineral wealth, there are still challenges and concerns. Security risks, lack of infrastructure, and the Taliban's governance have discouraged most international investment. There are also environmental and cultural concerns, as mining can impact land and air quality and destroy archaeological sites.

Overall, the Taliban recognizes the potential of the mining sector for economic development and is taking steps to maximize its earnings. However, there are still significant challenges and concerns surrounding the industry.

The impact of landmines on repatriation, relief, rehabilitation and development

Afghanistan has been heavely affected by landmines since 1978, with all sides of the various armed conflicts using antipersonnel mines. These mines are a major obstacle to repatriation, relief, rehabilitation, and development activities.

Repatriation

Landmines prevent the evacuation of victims, who often die in minefields as no one dares to enter them. They also overburden medical facilities, as the wounds they inflict are challenging to treat. The rehabilitation of mine victims is difficult and costly, and survivors often suffer from long-term psychological trauma, social exclusion, and loss of income. As a result, many victims turn to drug abuse, crime, or alcoholism. The presence of landmines leads to an exodus of refugees and impedes their repatriation, resettlement, and reintegration efforts.

Relief

Landmines obstruct the delivery of food and medical aid to those in need. The precautions necessary to avoid mined areas increase the costs of humanitarian aid and development assistance.

Rehabilitation

Landmines remove land from productive use, weakening the economic basis for growth. They disrupt internal markets and lead to devaluation of local currencies, resulting in higher prices and inflation. Interruptions to farming, transport, and production further debilitate the economy. Additionally, the presence of landmines discourages tourism and has severe consequences for cultural and religious life, as many cultural monuments and cemeteries have been mined.

Development

Landmines hinder the implementation of development projects and the achievement of durable solutions for refugee populations. They also pose significant organizational challenges for humanitarian agencies and impede the formation of local partnerships, which are crucial for promoting national reconciliation and unity in countries of origin.

The economic potential of Afghanistan's mineral resources

Afghanistan is known for its enormous mineral wealth, which has remained untapped due to decades of conflict and political and economic instability. The country has over 1,400 mineral fields containing a variety of minerals such as copper, iron, chromite, gold, lithium, rare earth metals, and many others. The mineral resources of Afghanistan are estimated to be worth over $1 trillion, with some reports suggesting they could be worth over $3 trillion.

The biggest hope for economic growth in Afghanistan relies on its mineral resources, with studies suggesting that the country has $$3 trillion worth of mines. The most considerable resources discovered in the country include iron and copper, with Afghanistan estimated to have enough reserves to become a major global producer. The Mes Aynak copper mine in Logar and the Hajigak iron reserves in Bamyan are particularly valuable and are expected to generate significant revenue.

Afghanistan's mineral wealth has attracted foreign investment, with China being the top investor in the sector. Chinese state-owned companies signed an agreement worth $$2.38 billion in 2007 to lease the Mes Aynak copper mine for 30 years, recognizing the country's rising need for copper. Other countries that have invested in Afghanistan's natural resources include Türkiye and the UAE.

In addition to its mineral resources, Afghanistan's strategic location as a transit route for energy and goods between Central and South Asia, the Middle East, and Chinese markets also contributes to its economic potential. The country plays a key role in energy transit projects such as the TAPI gas pipeline and the CASA-1000 electricity transmission project. Afghanistan is also involved in trade and transit projects like the Lapis Lazuli Agreement, the Chabahar Port Project, and the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC).

However, there are challenges to realizing the economic potential of Afghanistan's mineral resources. The country has struggled to attract enough foreign investment due to security concerns and political instability. Additionally, the sector faces issues such as illegal mining and smuggling, with revenues often going to warlords, armed militias, and Taliban insurgents.

Overall, Afghanistan's mineral resources have the potential to contribute significantly to the country's economic development and growth if properly managed and utilized. The country's vast mineral wealth could attract more foreign investment, create jobs, and increase government revenues. However, addressing security concerns and political instability is crucial for harnessing the full economic potential of Afghanistan's mineral resources.

The history of mining in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has a rich history of mining, with some of the oldest known mines believed to be located in the country. The nation has over 1,400 mineral fields containing a diverse range of minerals, including barite, chromite, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, natural gas, petroleum, precious and semi-precious stones, salt, sulfur, lithium, talc, and zinc. The last mining boom in the country occurred over 2,000 years ago during the era of Alexander the Great, when gold, silver, and precious stones were routinely mined.

Historical mining in Afghanistan primarily focused on precious stone production, with lapis lazuli being mined in the Badakhshan province as early as 8000 BC. This region supplied lapis lazuli to ancient civilizations, including Egypt and Mesopotamia, where it was used for amulets, ornaments, and scarabs. The mine at Aynak has a history spanning over 2,000 years, as evidenced by the coins and tools found on-site. Similarly, the gold deposits in Zarkashan, located in the Ghazni Province, have been exploited for over two millennia.

Afghanistan's ruby/spinel mines were documented by early Arabic travellers such as Istakhri (951 AD), Ibn Haukal (978 AD), and al-Ta'Alibi (961-1038 AD). The British Empire initiated resource assessments in the early 19th century but faced competition from other nations, including Germany, France, and Russia. However, it was the Soviet Union that conducted significant geological surveys in the 1970s and 1980s, detailing the country's vast mineral resources.

In recent years, Afghanistan's mineral wealth has once again come into focus, with the USGS estimating in 2010 that the country holds approximately $1 trillion in mineral ore deposits. These deposits contain valuable resources such as iron, copper, cobalt, gold, and rare earth elements. Despite the potential for a mining boom, security concerns, infrastructure challenges, and the ongoing Taliban insurgency have hindered the development of a robust mining industry in Afghanistan.

The environmental impact of mining in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has a wealth of natural resources, including copper, iron, lithium, rare earth elements, cobalt, bauxite, mercury, uranium, chromium, gold, lapis lazuli, gemstones, and more. The country's mineral fields are estimated to contain over 1,400 different minerals. Afghanistan's mineral resources have the potential to contribute significantly to the country's economic development and growth. However, the environmental impact of mining in Afghanistan is a significant concern. Here are some key points regarding the environmental impact of mining in Afghanistan:

Environmental Impact of Mining in Afghanistan:

• Water Scarcity and Contamination: Afghanistan is a water-scarce country, and mining activities can exacerbate this issue by diminishing and contaminating water resources. This can have devastating consequences for local communities that rely on these water sources for their livelihoods.
• Land Degradation: Mining activities can lead to land degradation and loss of biodiversity. The extraction of minerals often involves clearing large areas of land, disrupting natural habitats and ecosystems.
• Air Pollution: Mining operations can release pollutants into the air, affecting air quality and contributing to respiratory health issues in nearby communities.
• Cultural Heritage Preservation: Afghanistan has a rich cultural and historical heritage, with many ancient sites and artifacts. However, some mining projects, such as the Mes Aynak copper mine, are located near or on top of these cultural sites. If proper archaeological protocols are not followed, these projects could result in the destruction of invaluable historical treasures.
• Lack of Environmental Regulations: While the Afghan government has taken steps towards improving environmental, social, and fiscal regimes, the country has a history of weak governance and unstable political situations. This has often resulted in a lack of enforcement of environmental regulations and inadequate oversight of mining operations.
• Long-Term Environmental Impact: The environmental impact of mining can be long-lasting, even after mining activities have ceased. Contaminated water sources, degraded land, and air pollution can persist for decades, affecting the health and well-being of future generations.
• Social and Economic Impact: While not solely environmental, the social and economic impacts of mining are closely intertwined with the environmental consequences. Mining can lead to social conflicts, displacement of communities, and loss of traditional livelihoods. Additionally, the benefits of mining often do not reach the broader population, with revenue concentrated in the hands of a few.
• Infrastructure Development: The development of infrastructure to support mining operations, such as roads, railways, and power generation, can have both positive and negative environmental impacts. While infrastructure can facilitate economic growth, it can also fragment ecosystems and impact wildlife movement and migration patterns.
• Lack of Transparency: There has been a lack of transparency regarding the terms of mining agreements and the distribution of profits. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to ensure that environmental and social safeguards are being adequately addressed and implemented.
• Global Climate Change: Afghanistan is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and large-scale mining operations can contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating the impacts of climate change on the country.

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