NSA: Illegal Mining Impacts on Security and Politics

The Academy of Science of Afghanistan (ASA) yesterday warned that continued illegal extraction of Afghanistan’s mineral wealth would have problematic security and political consequences. Suraya Popal, acting ASA director, said this at an academic-investigative seminar, ‘The challenge of finding resolution and international community’s support in preventing illegal extraction of Afghanistan’s mines’, in Kabul. “Illicit mining causes wasting of national capital and will have awkward consequences in security and political arenas,” Popal said. According to her, if mineral extraction process is legalised, it would not only strengthen the country’s budget, but would also achieve a desirable economy. She further stated that the US Department of Defence and the Afghanistan Geological Survey (AGS) had estimated the total value of Afghanistan’s minerals at 3,000 billion USD; however, this estimation might be higher.