Khaama: Mr. Sadiq Jan Hamza, the Head of Mines and Petroleum in Khost, made the announcement during a field visit to the Shamal Dwamanda district, confirming the identification of a significant quartz mine in the region. Quartz is a valuable and widely used mineral in various global industries. It plays a crucial role in the
Khaama: An American expert warns that China is seeking to dominate Afghanistan’s untapped rare earth resources to strengthen regional influence and control. Scott Worden, an American researcher, highlights China’s efforts to cement its dominance over Afghanistan’s rare metals. Worden also criticizes the Trump administration’s closure of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), suggesting this move
Afghanistan International: Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, has announced that an upcoming visit by a Taliban delegation to Kazan will feature discussions on the construction of a 573-kilometre segment of the Afghan-Trans railway. In an interview with Izvestia newspaper, Kabulov underscored Afghanistan’s vast mineral resources and its strategic geographic position as
By Sarah Zaman VOA News March 7, 2025 Just as discoveries of fossil fuel reserves helped to shape the 20th century, the race for critical minerals is shaping the 21st. These minerals are seen as strategically crucial for modern economies, including those used in construction, energy and manufacturing — particularly for semiconductors and other technology
Amu: Afghanistan’s vast mineral wealth, which includes copper, lithium, and rare earth elements, has long been viewed as a potential driver of economic growth. However, the secrecy surrounding mining revenues under Taliban rule has raised fears of resource mismanagement. Click here to read more (external link).
The Diplomat: China’s key interests in Afghanistan are security related. It aims to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists who threaten its interests and those of its partners in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In particular, China wants to ensure that Uyghur separatists do not find sanctuaries in Afghanistan. Additionally, China
8am: In the nearly three years since the Taliban’s rise to power, they have significantly expanded the unregulated and illegal extraction of the country’s mineral resources. The group has announced that during this period, they have signed contracts for the extraction of over 150 small mines with domestic companies and 30 large mines with Chinese,
Tolo News: The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) said that, they will issue extraction licenses of precious stones in several provinces in the near future. The spokesperson for the ministry told TOLOnews that in the near future, licenses for the extraction of precious stones, including rubies, lapis lazuli, and beryl, will be issued in
Khaama: China has shown increasing interest in accessing the abundant oil, gas, and mineral resources in Afghanistan. The pursuit of dominating the supply chain, particularly in light of advancements in high-tech chips and large-capacity batteries, appears to be a significant driver for Beijing’s engagement with Afghanistan’s rich resources. Jalal Bazwan, a political science professor at
By Akmal Dawi VOA News February 6, 2024 A Chinese energy company’s investment of $49 million in Afghanistan’s oil production has helped boost the country’s daily crude oil output to more than 1,100 metric tons, but the funding is just one-third of what Beijing originally pledged. One year ago, China’s Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas