In the northeastern province of Badakhshan, Afghanistan, there is a rapid increase in interest in gold mining. In the Shiwa area, dozens of excavators work around the clock, developing mountains. Thousands of workers have arrived here from different parts of the country, as this area is located about 50 kilometers from the provincial capital, Faizabad.
Given limited employment opportunities, gold mining has become a new source of income for the population. Workers arrive from various regions, and investors are putting money into land and mining operations to extract gold.
However, the intensification of mining is causing growing concern among local residents. They claim that the development is leading to a deterioration in water quality in rivers, dust formation in fields, and a reduction in fodder base for livestock. Thus, despite earning money from gold, local residents are paying a high price.
Local farmer Mohammad Amin gives an example of this problem. He reports that after the start of mining, the river water became unfit for drinking, and swimming became difficult. Furthermore, the grass that used to grow along the riverbanks has disappeared.
Amin also notes that due to dust and wind, it has become difficult to engage in agriculture, which has directly affected his livestock farming. Previously, he kept about 40 goats, but now their number has decreased to about 15.
Amin leased his land to a mining company for about $20,000, but claims the company paid only half of that amount. Moreover, the company failed to fulfill its promise to restore the fields after the cessation of mining operations.
Currently, mining in Amin's village is suspended, but work continues in surrounding areas. In the Gulk-Dara valley, near his home, dozens of machines are cutting down mountains to extract gold.
Since employment opportunities in Afghanistan are limited, the mining industry attracts people from all over the country. In the Shiwa area, thousands of workers are employed in gold mining and related jobs, which has also created new opportunities for local business and income.
Nevertheless, in areas dependent on agriculture and animal husbandry, the impact of mining can be more severe. If the condition of water and land deteriorates, it may affect not only current income but also people's livelihoods in the future.
After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, the administration focused on increasing revenue from Afghanistan's natural resources. The government aims to increase state income and employment by expanding the mining sector, which has led to an increase in mining activities in many parts of the country.
Besides gold, Afghanistan has minerals such as copper, coal, iron ore, and lithium, which are considered important for the country's economy. However, during large-scale mining, it is crucial to ensure environmental protection and the interests of the local population.
When mining gold from mountains, a large amount of soil and rocks is removed, which can lead to increased dust, and mine waste can enter rivers and surrounding soil. Chemicals used in extracting gold by some methods can also damage water and soil.
Amin's problems in Badakhshan illustrate this concern: gold mining brings jobs and money, but if it comes at the cost of losing agriculture, animal husbandry, and clean water, the benefit for the local population may prove short-lived.