e-Ariana - Todays Afghan News
 Home 
 News 
 Articles 
 Cartoons 
 Feedback 
 Opinion  
 Contact Us  
 An Ariana Media Publication 02/09/2010
 Illegal mining of coal in Kulfgan district of Takhar province

Pajhwok Afghan News
04/26/2005
By Rohullah Arman

[Printer Friendly Version]

KUNDUZ  – Illegal mining of coal continues in the northern province of Takhar despite directions to the provincial government to put an end to it, according to Engineer Mohammed Ali Madad, director of government coal enterprise of northeast zone.


Madad told Pajhwok Afghan News that though they sent a formal application to the Governor's office in Takhar to stop illegal mining from the coal mine in Kizistan of Kulfgan district of Takhar province, the illegal mining continued.


Madad, who was heading a delegation of three investigating the illegal mining handed over three persons to the governor's office saying they were engaged in the illegal activity. He told Pajhwok Afghan News,"as long as a new law is not made for mining coal from the coal mine by the ministry of mines and industries, nobody can mine the coal. Those do so will be punished and the coal confiscated."


Provincial officials however said they were doing their best to identify and arrest those involved.


Engineer Mir Mohammed Sediq the Minister of Mines and Industries had earlier told Pajhwok Afghan News that after the war started in Afghanistan, the mines went out of the control of the government, with most of them coming under the control of local commanders.

The Minister had said that five coal mines, one ruby mine in Badakhshan and two mines in Nangarhar were controlled by government. More than 300 mines including mines of gas, aluminum, bronze, gold, coal, etc are there in Afghanistan.


The Gazistan coal mine of Kulfgan district of Takhar province is situated 100 kms from the center of Takhar province. Locals say they have seen people engaged in illegal mining.


Mohammed Ullah from Kulfgan said that he himself has seen coal being extracted from the mine in recent days. "Although we have not heard about the decree of the government we have seen people extracting the coal and selling it in the market."


But Mohammed Kabir Mirzaban the governor of Takhar province said that it was not impossible that illegal mining would take place since the government did not have full control over that area. He added that they would continue to follow the case. The police chief of Takhar province Mohammed Akram said they were investigating the case.


He told Pajhwok Afghan News: "although we have no reports in the last days about the illegal extraction from the coal mine, we are still trying to identify the people and arrest them."



Back to Top


Other Stories:


Pakistan's military sets Afghan terms
Asia Times (02/08/2010)

In a grim milestone, British death toll in Afghanistan matches Falklands
The Canadian Press (02/08/2010)

Taliban Commander: God Favors Us
CBS News (02/08/2010)

Looking Into The McChrystal Ball
Foreign Policy (02/08/2010)

Afghanistan's influential elders
Al Jazeera (02/08/2010)

A killer above the law?
The Guardian (02/08/2010)

Karzai considers conscription to bolster ranks of Afghan army
The Associated Press (02/08/2010)

Special forces assassins infiltrate Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan
The Sunday Times (02/08/2010)

Afghan President demands judicial independence
Xinhua (02/08/2010)

Karzai wants Afghanistan security handover to begin this year
CNN (02/08/2010)

On Afghan Road, Scenes of Beauty and Death
The New York Times (02/08/2010)

War and peace
The Indendent (02/08/2010)

Mehdi’s story: 'I hate the snow'
IRIN (02/08/2010)

As US begins Afghan surge, Canada plans troop exit
The Associated Press (02/07/2010)

US hopes to route the Taliban in new front on the Afghan War
The Associated Press (02/07/2010)

A compelling way to build Afghanistan ties
The Philadelphia Inquirer (02/07/2010)

NATO allies to shuffle Afghan pledges to add training
Reuters (02/07/2010)

Afghans flee ahead of major anti-Taliban offensive
AFP (02/07/2010)

Afghan police commander arrested in bomb ring
Reuters (02/07/2010)

US opposes peace talks, delisting Taliban names
Pajhwok (02/06/2010)

Revenge on the Taliban, from 10,000 feet
The Washington Post (02/06/2010)

Afghan police kill seven boys collecting firewood
Reuters (02/06/2010)

US depending on Pakistan for its exit from Afghanistan: Mushahid
NNI, Pakistan (02/06/2010)

Why are U.S., allies telling Taliban about coming offensive?
McClatchy Newspapers (02/06/2010)

U.S. outpost in Afghanistan was left vulnerable to attack, inquiry finds
The Washington Post (02/06/2010)

NATO ministers, commanders advertise planned offensive in southern Afghanistan
The Washington Post (02/06/2010)

Taliban reject "deal" with Afghanistan, West
Reuters (02/05/2010)

New video shows Taliban flogging men in Pakistan
The Associated Press (02/05/2010)

Bomb at Afghan dog fight kills three, wounds 31
AFP (02/05/2010)

Offer the Taliban more than mere money
FT.com (02/05/2010)


Back to Top