Afghanistan: Taliban Ramp up Mining in Southern Afghan Region

May 20, 2019 | Mohammad Ilyas Dayee and Abubakar Siddique, Gandhara
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Lawmakers and locals in a southern Afghan province say the illegal mining of gold and other precious minerals has dramatically increased in Taliban-controlled regions close to the border with Pakistan. Attaullah Afghan, head of the provincial council in Helmand, says the exploitation of existing mines and the excavation of new mines have accelerated to unprecedented levels in the restive region.