Mining Mess

Will the government be able to provide security in mines that have been handed over to private companies?
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum announced new contracts have been signed for 86 mines but independent observers are skeptical about the lack of transparency in the contracts,

Reza Mirzayee, economic expert says there is illegal mining in many provinces. “Protection money has to be paid to ensure security,” he says. “The goal of mining companies or individual miners is to extract as much as possible with the least investment or professional integrity.”

The government lacks the will to stop illegal mining. Those behind the activity are alleged to wield enormous power. Some are also smugglers with influence in the government.

Abdul Qahar Sarwari, a political and economic analyst says, “There are mafia, both inside and outside the country, that make huge profits from illegal mining.” In his opinion, little money is pumped into strengthening security for mines since it would affect the illegal mining lobby.

The Ministry of Mines announced the signing of 86 new mining contracts and also the decision to put up eight other mines for auction. Mohayudin Noori, the spokesperson told a press conference in Kabul that mining rights were given to private companies “since start of the year”. The small and medium mines were spread over 34 provinces and held deposits of precious and semi-precious stones, salt, limestone and gas. The mines put up for auction are located in Shirin Tagab district in Faryab province, Daman in Kandahar, Nahor in Ghazni, Chemtal and Khulm in Balkh, Yakalang in Bamyan and Sayedabad in Maidan Wardak province.

The Ministry of Mines expects 2,000 or so new jobs could be created in the mines.

However, Integrity Watch Afghanistan, which works to increase social transparency, accountability and integrity, is concerned that the private companies may not adhere to the contracts knowing there has been no transparency.

Sayed Ekram Afzali, Integrity’s head, said the contracts have not been published and people are unaware of its contents. Moreover, according to him, the government should amend the management structure of the mines before the mining process begins. “The Ministry of Mines has failed in the past to monitor the contracts.”