Kapisa luminous stone mining to resume

MAHMOOD RAQI (Pajhwok): Extraction work on a luminous stone mine in central Kapisa province, suspended due to cold weather, will start in the near future, officials say.

Mining Director Eng. Kamal told Pajhwok Afghan News an excavation contract had been awarded to a local company that would dig up 1,000 tonnes of the natural stone annually. Valid for three years, the contract is for the mine in Najrab district.

The luminous stone mining would help generate 7 million afghanis in revenue once the company resumes work, he estimated, indicating that a contract for tourmaline excavation would be awarded soon a private firm.

He said Kapisa had the capacity to generate 100 million afghanis in annual revenue from the mining sector if transportation and security issues were resolved.

Haji Mohammad Gul, a resident of Najrab, said Kapisa had been blessed with natural resources, whose mining in a professional manner would significantly boost its economy.

Baryalai, a resident of Tagab district, said locals had learnt exploring and extracting the mineral wealth.  Kohbandi, Kohistan 1, Kohistan 2, Najrab and Tagab districts have reservoirs of precious stones.

But unauthorized mining of these sites is badly affecting the resources. Alberoni University Chancellor Prof. Haqbin claimed belied millions of dollars could be earned from the mining sector if the excavation process was regulated and corruption stemmed.

He urged the government to combat graft and spend the revenue on rehabilitation of the province. Clean governance could transform Kapisa into a better place than Switzerland, the chancellor said.

Governor Gen. Mehrabuddin Sapi, meanwhile, said his administration was doing its best to preserve the mineral riches of Kapisa. No one would be allowed to dig up or smuggle the stones illegally.

nh/mud

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