KABUL - The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) says the mining revenue has risen to more than six billion afghanis this year, showing a considerable increase over 2016.
Abdul Qadir Motafi, spokesman for the MoMP, said the total revenue for the solar year 1395 amounted to 4.7 billion afghanis. But the figure reached more than six billion afghanis in the ongoing fiscal year.
In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, he said new contracts had not been signed yet. With the fiscal year yet to end, the official hoped the revenue could see a further hike. “If new mining contracts are signed, the income will rise.”
A new registration (data) centre -- a system that did not exist in the past -- had been established to ensure transparency in revenue collection, the spokesman informed.
He characterised the illegal extraction of mines a major challenge, “We have identified about 2000 sites where unlawful extraction may take place,” the official continued.
Sites in Taliban-controlled areas in Helmand, Nangarhar, Badakhshan and several other provinces were being dug unlawfully, he explained, suggesting the issue be shared with security forces to stop the practice.
But Nargis Nehan, the minister-designate, recently described low revenue and poor capacity of the ministry as a major challenge as she spoke of her future plans in Wolesi Jirga.
She proposed a commission to protect mines across Afghanistan. Increasing mining revenue and introducing Afghanistan as a country with immense natural resources would be her priority. (Pajhwok)