Local sources in Badakhshan say that despite a ban imposed by the Taliban leader on gold mining, individuals affiliated with Juma Khan Fateh continue to engage extensively in gold extraction at mines in Nasi district.
According to the sources, companies affiliated with Juma Khan Fateh do not have official mining licenses either. However, while the operations of other local companies in Badakhshan have been suspended for lacking licenses, the activities of individuals affiliated with him continue.
The sources believe that the continuation of mining activities by these individuals may be part of an agreement reached during efforts to resolve Juma Khan Fateh’s recent dispute with Taliban leaders.
Juma Khan Fateh came close to an armed confrontation with the Taliban about two weeks ago, but through the mediation of Qari Fasihuddin, he traveled from Darwaz to Faizabad and later to Kabul. He subsequently denied having any dispute with the Taliban.
Meanwhile, the second phase of the suspension of mining activities in Darwaz began after a clash on 24 Saratan in Shaki district between workers at the Maymik mine and Abdul Matin, the Taliban’s mining director.
Following the incident, the Taliban ordered workers to also leave the Qatqati mine and remove their equipment from the area. Qatqati is one of the largest mines in Shaki district and has been considered a major center of tensions between the Taliban and residents of Darwaz for more than two months.
An official from a local company said hundreds of people had been working at the Qatqati mine to support their families, but the activities of all workers were halted due to the monopoly of a few individuals, leaving hundreds of thousands of Afghanis in local investments at risk of loss.
According to the sources, under a previous order from the Taliban leadership, no official license had been required to operate in these mines. However, following actions by local authorities and the failure to resolve the Qatqati dispute, mining operations have been completely suspended.
Another source said that about a month ago, a Taliban intelligence unit went to the area and appointed a delegation to conduct a technical assessment of the Qatqati mine. According to the source, the mining operation may eventually be handed over to large companies approved by the Taliban.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
