Panjshir Green Garnet Sales Begin; Questions Over Mining Revenues Still Persist

For the first time, the semi-precious stone green garnet was offered at an official auction of Panjshir Province’s mineral products, an event that the local Taliban administration has billed as a step toward expanding the gemstone trade.

The auction sold 3,297 carats of emeralds worth $198,370, and 13 samples of green garnet were also traded. A gemstone trader from China was also among the participants.

Despite the widespread publicity about the boom in mining and sales, serious questions remain about the transparency of the auction process, how mining revenues are spent, and the local people’s true share of these national resources. Critics say that until details of revenues, contracts, and how mining revenues are spent are transparently disclosed, claims of economic development and job creation will not be verifiable.

Economic experts also believe that the presence of foreign traders, including Chinese buyers, can benefit the Afghan economy only if mineral transactions are conducted within transparent, accountable, and independently monitored criteria; otherwise, concerns about how the country's natural resources are managed will continue.