PUL-I-KHUMRI - Gypsum from Sheikh Jalal Mine in Baghlan-i-Markzai district of northern Baghlan province is illegally extracted by local irresponsible armed men and gypsum processing factories since last seven years while the government is yet to take any steps to stop it.
According to the Mines and Petroleum Department of Baghlan province, the Sheikh Jalal mine extraction contract was awarded to four people namely Mohammad Yousuf, HabibRahman, Qasim Khan and Sher Mohammad by the Mines and Petroleum Enterprise in February 2011 before the establishment of Mines and Petroleum Department in the province.
The department says the contract was signed for a period of one year, but it was extended on the request of the four people and with the approval of the enterprise until 2015. But documents show that the gypsum has been extracted illegally by local irresponsible armed men and plaster processing factories after the end of the contract.
Illegal extraction of gypsum:
Documents show that the Mines and Petroleum Department in a letter to Baghlan governor’s house in April 2016 said that gypsum from the Sheikh Jalal Gypsum Mine was illegally extracted by gypsum processing factories.
The letter states that factory owners paid high amount of money to local illegal armed men to let them extract the mineral during Fridays and during night and then transfer the gypsum in trucks covered with tarpaulin to Kabul and other provinces for sale.

Gypsum from Sheikh Jalal Mine is extracted by illegal armed men: People
Noorullah, not a real name, a resident of Baghlan-i-Markazi district of Baghlan said that the gypsum in the district was illegally extracted by illegal armed men since long.
“They have also opened three processing factories just two kilometres away from the third battalion’s base, On average, each factory processes 10 tons of gypsum a day and transfer it to Kunduz, Kabul, Parwan and some other provinces besides Baghlan,” he said.
Over 10 letters on illegal mining shared with relevant organs: Faizad
Baghlan Mines and Petroleum Director Eng. Shah MahmodFaizad said that Sheikh Jalal Gypsum Mine was illegally mined by illegal local commanders and their supporters.
“I have sent more than 10 letters to the governor’s house and police headquarters for prevention of the illegal mining,” he said. He once again voiced on organs concerned to take action for controlling illegal mining in the province. (Pajhwok)