Emerald miners in Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley continue to attract international buyers despite working with limited equipment and under difficult conditions. The region is known for producing high-quality emeralds, which are sold through competitive auctions attended by traders from Kabul and abroad.
At a recent auction, nearly 3,000 carats of emeralds were sold. In addition, the total value of emerald sales in Afghanistan this year has reached almost 400 million afghanis, or about $6.12 million. This represents an important source of income for a country affected by years of conflict and international sanctions.
Mining is also a major source of employment in Panjshir. More than 15,000 people currently work in the sector, while officials have identified over 2,000 mining sites that could potentially be developed. However, many workers still depend on basic tools such as shovels, picks, drills, and hammers.
The Taliban government says it has signed agreements with investors from countries including China, Russia, and Iran. Meanwhile, officials are calling for more international investment, modern machinery, and processing facilities that would allow Afghanistan to standardize and export its gemstones more efficiently.
Miners also face serious safety risks because the region is vulnerable to landslides, avalanches, floods, and falling rocks. Overall, Afghanistan’s emerald industry has strong economic potential, but its future growth depends on better equipment, safer working conditions, and greater investment.
Reference
Al Jazeera. (2026, October 9). Afghanistan’s emerald miners struggle with tools but attract global buyers. Al Jazeera.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/9/afghanistans-emerald-miners-struggle-with-tools-but-attract-global-buyers