Despite the sale of nearly 400 million Afghanis’ worth of emeralds since the beginning of this year, miners in Panjshir continue to work with basic tools, facing risks from landslides, avalanches and falling rocks.
Al Jazeera reported on Friday, October 9, that approximately 3,000 carats of emeralds were sold to domestic and foreign buyers at the 23rd emerald auction held this year.
According to the report, the total value of emeralds sold in Afghanistan since the beginning of this year has reached nearly 400 million Afghanis, equivalent to $6.12 million.
The report added that more than 15,000 people work in the mining sector in Panjshir.
However, miners rely on basic tools, including shovels, pickaxes, iron rods and drills, to extract emeralds.
The lack of proper equipment has made their work more difficult and increased the risks of landslides, avalanches, floods and falling rocks.
The lack of standard facilities for processing emeralds before export is another challenge facing the sector.
